"Forget what you thought you knew. Christopher Howard takes us on
an eye-opening, mind-expanding, entirely unexpected tour of the
American welfare state. He describes a big, popular, sprawling,
often Republican system that--thanks to cherished American
institutions like federalism--does not work very well. Smart, wise,
synthetic, funny, and iconoclastic--"The Welfare State Nobody
Knows" is required reading for everybody who wants to know about
welfare, about politics, or about the United States."--James A.
Morone, author of "Hellfire Nation" and "The Democratic Wish"
"Christopher Howard is one of the most original and provocative
students of the American welfare state--and this book splendidly
sums up his insights. We learn that the American welfare state is
larger and more dynamic than many have believed--yet, to this day,
it fails to ameliorate inequality or poverty. Scholars and citizens
alike will find that this book raises questions and provides
answers nowhere else to be found."--Theda Skocpol, Harvard
University
"In "The Welfare State Nobody Knows," Christopher Howard
compellingly reveals an American welfare state that is at once
larger than previously acknowledged and yet incapable of solving
the fundamental social problems confronting the nation. The book,
which combines narrative accounts and quantitative analysis, is up
to date but historically grounded. It is also, at times,
appropriately contentious. The book is a must read for anyone
committed to understanding the unique character of social policy
and politics in the U.S."--Mark A. Peterson, UCLA School of Public
Affairs
"Highly informative, original, and concise."--Martha Derthick,
University of Virginia
"Inthis myth-busting book, Christopher Howard challenges
cherished notions about the American welfare state--that it
consists of two tiers with generous social insurance benefits for
the middle class and stingy means-test benefits for the poor, that
it emerged with two 'big bangs' in the 1930s and 1960s, that it is
smaller than its European counterparts, and that the elderly usurp
an unfair share of national resources. Beautifully written and
clearly argued, "The Welfare State Nobody Knows" should be required
reading for all students interested in American political
development."--Jill Quadagno, Florida State University
"Howard provides ample food for thought-offering new
perspectives on old questions, challenging prevailing stories about
American social welfare policy, and sowing the seeds for more
creative research and thought. The book's catchy, readable style
and its attention to how to think about issues--questions to ask,
data to consider, methods to use, and ways to assess our comfort or
discomfort with results--engage the reader in applying the critical
thinking skills that are essential to evaluating and participating
in public policy."--Judith Feder, Georgetown University
General
Imprint: |
Princeton University Press
|
Country of origin: |
United States |
Release date: |
August 2008 |
First published: |
2008 |
Authors: |
Christopher Howard
|
Dimensions: |
235 x 152 x 13mm (L x W x T) |
Format: |
Paperback
|
Pages: |
280 |
ISBN-13: |
978-0-691-13833-6 |
Categories: |
Books
|
LSN: |
0-691-13833-8 |
Barcode: |
9780691138336 |
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