Description
Book SynopsisWhy have American governments proved unable to redesign a welfare system that will satisfy anyone? Are there constructive ways to think about welfare, poverty, and public education? This book shows how interpretations of the past, grounded in analytic history, can free us of comforting myths and help us to reframe discussions of these issues.
Trade Review"As a concise overview of twenty-five years of writing on poverty, welfare, and public education, this is an exceptionally valuable and important book...It will be read widely by social scientists, policy makers, and concerned citizens."--Molly Ladd-Taylor, Journal of American History "A must reading for all social workers ... interested in the current debate about the role of government in social welfare. Katz's keen historical analysis informs us what our response to need has been and poses questions that we need to ask to avoid future errors."--Edward J. Gumz, Families in Society "A provocative, stimulating exploration that clarifies which approaches in the ever-contentious debate over the "right" approach to poverty are genuinely new and which are generations old."--Booklist "No historian has written more wisely on urban poverty and social welfare policy in this country, and [Katz] is at his commanding best here."--Kai Erikson, The Nation
Table of ContentsACKNOWLEDGMENTS ix INTRODUCTION 3 CHAPTER ONE. The Welfare State 19 CHAPTER TWO. The "Underclass" 60 CHAPTER THREE. Urban Schools 99 CHAPTER FOUR. Surviving Poverty 144 INDEX 173
