This handbook is a one-stop forum for nonpartisan discussion of the major proposals for addressing Social Security's coming financial crisis. This timely volume details the history and development of the American system of Social Security and examines the serious problems it faces. It covers the "prehistory" of Social Security dating back to the 19th century and projects the program's likely future over the next several generations. Thematically, the book chronicles the origination of the initial Social Security Act of 1935, each major reform to the act through today, the nature and magnitude of the current difficulty facing Social Security, and each major remedy that has been proposed. It also examines programs in other nations and how they have attempted to address similar problems. This handbook is essential reading for anyone trying to understand how this vital program evolved and where it could be going. Provides charts and graphs, including a graphic display of the likely future of the Social Security Trust Fund, a sketch of a financial portrait of Social Security, and the impact of potential reforms Includes a list of key terms, such as "pay-as-you-go" and "means testing," making the language of Social Security reform accessible to every reader

Understanding and Analyzing Competitive Dynamics will serve as the first book for economic development professionals, undergraduate and graduate students, and businesses because it answers the following three questions: What are the tools and techniques to analyze regional dynamics, how can these tools be used in a regional setting, and how can these tools help us formulate new directions? The book also highlights the necessity of regional level leadership in leveraging existing regional assets to create a cluster-based competitive regional economy through regional-level marketing, increasing synergy between industries in target clusters and their suppliers and customers, strengthening the cluster supply-chain by diversifying target clusters, and investing in human resources.

Covering such critically important laws as the Homestead Act of 1862, the Social Security Act of 1935, Medicare and Medicaid, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act, and many others, this resource is perfect for students looking for a thorough and understandable examination of the laws that created America's social insurance system.

America is a welfare state. When 2/5 of Americans receive some type of financial assistance from the government, and federal spending on retirement pensions, health care, and income security programs approaches one trillion dollars per year, one can hardly argue otherwise. Faced with seemingly insurmountable cultural, political, and constitutional obstacles, how did a welfare state actually come to be constructed in America? The laws in this volume provide an answer.