A Political History of the American Welfare System - When Ideas Have Consequences

How did American welfare policy move from the ambitious and altruistic goals of LBJ's Great Society of the 1960s to the punitive and penurious provisions of the Personal Responsibility and Work Reconciliation Act of 1996? This book explores the power of ideology and rhetoric in the transformation of the American liberal welfare state. Based on historical analysis, detailed public policy critique, and original interview data, the story that unfolds is one of both personality and politics. Author Brendon O'Connor places the American welfare policy debate in wider perspective, showing how America's particular use of ideas and conceptions of economics and politics worked to reshape the national perception of poverty, morality, and economic responsibility over time.

About the author

Brendon O'Connor is assistant professor in the School of Politics and Public Policy, Griffith University.

Summary

How did American welfare policy move from the altruistic goals of LBJ's Great Society to the penurious provisions of the Personal Responsibility and Work Reconciliation Act of 1996? This text explores the power of ideology and rhetoric in the transformation of the American liberal welfare state.

Product details

• Authors: Brendon O'Connor
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 07.10.2003
• EAN: 9780742526686
• ISBN: 978-0-7425-2668-6
• Dimensions: 150 mm x 229 mm x 18 mm
• Weight: 386 g
• Subjects: Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political science and political education; USA, POLITICAL SCIENCE / American Government / National, United States of America, USA, Central / national / federal government policies, Central government policies