Schorr provides an informed examination of the sources of welfare reform, its successes and considerable failures, and the economic and social forces that shaped the 1996 welfare reform. He summarizes developments in the history of welfare that led to an overwhelming public call for reform. Having participated in many of these developments as a high government official and as a policy practitioner, Schorr brings a unique perspective to these issues.

Assessment of accomplishments and damage rests on reports, research, and extensive data. Concluding that the 1996 legislation was the wrong way to go, Schorr explores underlying policy issues; Should all mothers be required to work at all times? How do we define poverty? How are wages related to welfare?--to frame solutions. In the process, Schorr underscores why welfare recipients are not a population distinct from the working poor population; that low wages, poor welfare, and our unequal distribution of income are tightly linked; and that reforming welfare will require major economic and social changes. Schorr offers a chilling forecast of the society we will have if we continue on our current course and, as an alternative, outlines deeply changed, more constructive policies. Must reading for scholars, students, and policy makers as well as those in the general public concerned with social welfare policies.

Schorr provides an informed examination of the sources of welfare reform, its successes and considerable failures, and the economic and social forces that shaped the 1996 welfare reform. He summarizes developments in the history of welfare that led to an overwhelming public call for reform. Having participated in many of these developments as a high government official and as a policy practitioner, Schorr brings a unique perspective to these issues.

Assessment of accomplishments and damage rests on reports, research, and extensive data. Concluding that the 1996 legislation was the wrong way to go, Schorr explores underlying policy issues; Should all mothers be required to work at all times? How do we define poverty? How are wages related to welfare?--to frame solutions. In the process, Schorr underscores why welfare recipients are not a population distinct from the working poor population; that low wages, poor welfare, and our unequal distribution of income are tightly linked; and that reforming welfare will require major economic and social changes. Schorr offers a chilling forecast of the society we will have if we continue on our current course and, as an alternative, outlines deeply changed, more constructive policies. Must reading for scholars, students, and policy makers as well as those in the general public concerned with social welfare policies.

Planner, educator, and activist Alvin Schorr presents an incisive critique of America's social policies under the Reagan administration and offers clear, reasonable, and workable proposals for improving our policies in such areas as income distribution, housing, health, and education-proposals in pursuit of the goal of "common decency" for all Americans. "Alvin Schorr's book is recommended highly as a collection of five exceptionally well-written, thoughtful, and extensively documented policy essays."-Alfred J. Kahn, Social Work "A wide-ranging, well-informed review. . . . It exposes readers to a rich amount of material and to a modern, liberal perspective on how to move the country toward a more humane society."-Robert I. Lerman, Political Science Quarterly "Schorr's agenda deserves serious consideration in future debates on national social policy."-Library Journal "After Reagan, in a political climate more receptive to sensible social policy, liberals will badly need clearly articulated goals and technically sound devices to achieve them. Alvin Schorr's stress upon full employment and universal benefits is admirably complemented by ingenious new devices and careful estimates of their cost. Here is a realistic social agenda for the Democratic party's 1988 presidential campaign."-Robert Lekachman, Professor of Economics, Herbert Lehman College, City University of New York