Description
Book SynopsisThe Battle for Welfare Rights tells, for the first time, the complete story of a movement that profoundly affected the meaning of citizenship and the social contract in the United States.
Trade Review"
The Battle for Welfare Rights unearths the remarkable moment in history when a movement led by African American women shook the nation's foundations of power. . . . Essential reading for students of welfare history, theory, and politics, as well as an inspiration to those who carry on the battle for social justice in America." * Dorothy Roberts, Northwestern University *
"A rich chronicle of welfare rights activity, the 'movement's' strategic thinking, and the political and policy context that shaped and interacted with the movement." * Rickie Solinger, author of
Beggars and Choosers: How the Politics of Choice Shapes Adoption, Abortion, and Welfare in the United States *
"The most sophisticated study of welfare rights organizing to date. It engages with grassroots and high politics, social history and social thought, and, in the process, illuminates how law and social work shaped the movement to secure the 'rightly needs' of poor solo mothers. . . . Kornbluh does it all with insight and verve." * Eileen Boris, University of California, Santa Barbara *
Table of ContentsPreface
Introduction
Inventing Welfare Rights
Citizens of the Affluent Society
Legal Civil Disobedience
On a Collision Course
Give Us Credit for Being American
Nixon, Moynihan, and Real Live Welfare Moms
End of an Era
Conclusion
List of Oral History Interviews
List of Abbreviations
Notes
Index
Acknowledgments
