The Reluctant Welfare State: American Social Welfare Policies--Past, Present, and Future [with InfoTrac]

by Bruce S. Jansson

Written in clear, lively prose and supported by Jannson's impeccable research, this highly respected book analyzes the evolution of the American welfare state from colonial times to present--not only covering three centuries of historical developments, but contemporary policies in the first years of the 21st century--and it places social policy in its political, cultural, and societal context. Using social policy history as a catalyst, Jansson invites students to think critically about issues, developments, and policies in prior eras and in contemporary society, and he inspires students to develop their own "policy identity." This book uniquely links social welfare policy to an empowerment perspective, showing how African Americans, Latinos, women, gays and lesbians, Asian Americans, Native Americans, the elderly, poor people, and other vulnerable populations, as well as social reformers, have achieved progressive reforms through policy advocacy. By making these powerful connections among historical events, current social welfare policy, and the profession of social work, Jannson illustrates how a deep understanding of the past can inform our present and future actions.

Genres: Textbooks, History, Nonfiction, Politics

509 pages, Hardcover

First published December 25, 1987

Reviews

[Timmy]

This book was awful, probably the worst most biased textbook I have ever read in my life with a very slanted view on history. The should classify this as a semi-fictional novel and not a work that is distributed in academia. This book does harm to the movement for the socialistic type state that it promotes creating with it's total lack of objectivity. I'll give them one star for the effort of writing the whole thing.

[Mozart]

boring and a lack of scholarly objectivity.

[Heather]

I had to read it for school.....

[Melissa]

Excellent book for the History of how we got to where we are as a country and where some thought patterned cane from.

[Alex Chiang]

JUST WHEN I THOUGHT I COULDN'T POSSIBLY DESPISE REAGAN MORE JANSSON PULLS ME RIGHT BACK IN

[Lindsay Allyson]

This. Was. Awful.

The few pictures given were in black and white. The text was miniscule and dense. There was nothing to break it up. As someone who is interested in history and policy, I was excited to see this book. The second I opened the book I was immediately turned off.

Luckily the professor provided notes for the book and didn't really test on it. Horrible book and I didn't read beyond the first chapter.

[Laura]

Oh my god this has to be the most boring textbook ever! Of course, I am only on chapter 2...

[Alicia]

I read this book for SW 530 during the first semester of my Master's Program.

[ACRL]

Read by ACRL Member of the Week Jungwon Yang. Learn more about Jungwon on the ACRL Insider Blog.

[Sierra]

Basically a history lesson with welfare. Very repetitive and tedious if you know your history