social policy

Examines the impact of economic inequality including the psychological, societal, and even physical consequences on both the poor and wealthy members of society.

A collection of essays and discussion exercises present conflicting points of view on various aspects of the welfare state.

Argues that federal, state, and local governments can and should do something to alleviate poverty and inequality.

Provides studies, surveys, and statistics on issues related to the American economy, covering economic indicators and public perceptions, personal debt, work and workers, saving and investing, the role of government, and other topics.

Argues that gay marriage is beneficial to the health of marriage as an institution and describes the reasons why marriage is vital to society, how gay marriage would work in the real world, and why the states should decide the issue of gay marriage.

Presents in-depth discussions on the issue of welfare reform by leading advocates of each perspective. Offers not only the full spectrum of dissent, but also the ability to test the validity of arguments by following up on sources.

Discusses the influence of intellectuals on modern society, arguing that their impact on policies flows through their shaping of public opinion rather than their affect on powerful leaders, and examines the incentives and constraints from which intellectuals' views emerge and cases in which they have been grossly mistaken with regard to societal problems.

Examines the rise of movement conservatism in the U.S., defined by the author as a network of people and institutions that extends far beyond what is normally considered political life; contends that Republican conservatism is the result of white backlash against the civil rights movement; and argues that the drastic economic inequality that has developed in the U.S. since the 1980s is in direct correlation to political partisanship.