Includes bibliographical references and index.

All chapters conclude with Summary and Notes. Preface. 1. Politics, Rationalism, and Social Welfare. Politics and Social Welfare Policy. Illustration 1-1: Special Tips for the Legislative Process. The Policymaking Process. The American Public and Social Welfare. Illustration 1-2: We Can Take Care of Our Own...or Can We? 2. Government and Social Welfare. Historical Perspectives on Social Welfare. Illustration 2-1: The Revolution No One Noticed. The Expansion of Social Welfare. Finances in the Welfare State. Illustration 2-2: Intelligence Report: Our Low Taxes. The Legacy of Reaganomics. Helping the Truly Needy. The Presidential Years of Bill Clinton. 3. Defining Poverty: Where to Begin? What Is Poverty? Poor and Homeless: Not Invisible Anymore. Illustration 3-1: Homeless in Paradise. Illustration 3-2: Pam Jackson's New Apartment. A Fundamental Shift. 4. Preventing Poverty: The Social Insurance Programs. Preventing Poverty through Compulsory Savings. Illustration 4-1: Social Security--Who Qualifies, and How Much Do Beneficiaries Receive? Illustration 4-2: Will You Reap What You Sow? Unemployment Compensation. Workers' Compensation. 5. Helping the Deserving Poor: Aged, Blind, and Disabled. Public Assistance for the Deserving Poor. Illustration 5-1: Example of What Happens When You Are Disabled. Rehabilitative Services for Individuals with Disabilities. The Era of Civil Rights for People with Disabilities. Illustration 5-2: What Is Reasonable Accommodation for People with Disabilities? Disability Policy for Children. Building a Better Policy on Disability. Illustration 5-3: Guidance from the EEOC in Implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act in Cases of Psychiatric Impairment. General Assistance: The State and Community Response to Welfare. Federalism and Social Welfare. 6. Ending Welfare as We Knew It: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. From Mothers' Aid to AFDC. Trying to Make Parents Pay.

Acknowledged as the most comprehensive, easy-to-read introduction to social welfare available, this new edition focuses on the crucial aspects and concerns of American society in a post 9/11 environment. Social Welfare: Politics and Public Policy, Sixth Edition, addresses the current political aspects of policymaking and major social welfare programs, including public assistance, Social Security, disability, health insurance, and much more. The author also focuses on the effects such issues as racism, sexism, gay rights, and immigration have in the context of recent social welfare policies and programs. In addition, a wealth of updated instructor and student supplements give this text its celebrated advantage as a leader in the social welfare policy textbook market.