American Social Welfare Policy: A Pluralist Approach [with eText Access Code]

by Howard Jacob Karger, David Stoesz

Now featuring a full-color design, the best-selling text for policy analysis provides students with a comprehensive overview of social welfare policy in the United States while examining cutting-edge issues.

Thoroughly updated and revised to reflect the impact of dramatic changes in social welfare policy, the Fifth Edition continues to focus on how the major sectors of social welfare policy—the voluntary, governmental, and corporate sectors—operate and co-exist (the “pluralist approach”), while also offering a clear, user-friendly framework for policy analysis.

Highlights of the Fifth Edition:

NEW chapter on Religion and Social Policy examines the past and present relationship between religion and the creation and the implementation of social policy. Chapter 4, “Discrimination in American Society,” includes coverage of the minority middle class, a comprehensive examination of gay and lesbian marriage, and an updated section on immigration policies since September 11, 2001. Chapter 5, “Poverty in America,” includes a detailed section on the fringe economy, its impact on poverty, and a new section on Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) and the digital divide. Chapter 8, “The Making of Governmental Policy,” provides updates on special interests, lobbyists, and their influence on the 2004 election. Chapter 9, “Tax Policy and Income Distribution,” examines the impact of the Bush tax cuts on social welfare policy. Chapter 11, “Public Assistance Programs,” includes updated information on public assistance programs, including an evaluation of the effects of welfare reformlegislation and new changes to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Chapter 16, “Housing Policies” includes new material on obstacles to homeownership, such as predatory home mortgages, increases in housing prices, and racial and class discrimination in home purchases. A newly revised companion website with practice tests, flashcards, web links, and more! www.ablongman.com/karger5e. Don’t Miss These Exciting Value-Added Options!

Themes of the Times for Social Welfare Policy
This collection of recent articles from the New York Times will give insight into current issues and debates, highlighting interesting research, and show some of the practical applications of studying social welfare policy. Themes of the Times for Social Welfare Policy is available FREE when packaged with this text: 0-205-46204-9.

Controversial Issues in Social Policy, 2/e, Karger, et al.
This text is an edited collection of contemporary social policy debates conducted between some of the foremost thinkers in the field of social work, as well as prominent authors in other fields. Jargon-free debates make the text easily accessible and interesting for students. The text stresses the importance of critical and independent thought in the educational process. Controversial Issues in Social Policy is available FREE when packaged with this text: 0-205-47167-6.

Genres: Social Work, Textbooks, School, Nonfiction, Grad School

448 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1993

Reviews

[Kelly Reinhart · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book did a good job of explaining the history of policies in the United States, including a wide variety of topics/social issues. It also did a good job of explaining how to analyse policies. Overall, decent book for understanding policy and for a course text.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clearly, this book is biased towards the liberal/left perspective, but it does give a great summary of Social Welfare policy in the U.S. and is one textbook that I think all U.S.-based social workers should read. I also think all social workers should be active policy advocates, and should therefore be informed about the history and current state of social welfare policies and practices. That's my opinion and I'm stickin' to it.

[Hope McCormick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of tone and opinion, but still very informative.

[Zoe · Rating 1 out of 5]

Onerous presentation of fascinating material.