Description
Book SynopsisIn the critically acclaimed La Fin de la Pauverté?, Romain D. Huret identifies a network of experts who were dedicated to the post-World War II battle against poverty in the United States. John Angell's translation of Huret's work brings to light for an English-speaking audience this critical set of intellectuals working in federal government...
Trade Review"The Experts’ War on Poverty is a fascinating book. Romain Huret offers a refreshing perspective on a time when the U.S. and its economists cared a lot about poverty and inequality. This is a great combination of political, economic, and intellectual history." -- Thomas Piketty, author of
Capital in the Twenty-First Century"The Experts' War on Poverty details the behind-the-scenes federal bureaucrats who, before poverty was "rediscovered," were committed to making social policy a tool for equitable income distribution. Romain Huret offers a compelling take on the politics of drawing attention to inequality in the proverbial age of affluence." -- Alice O'Connor, University of California, Santa Barbara, and author of
Social Science for What?"This unique book looks at experts who used empirical methods to measure the extent of poverty in America during the fifties and early sixties. Working in disparate places—foundations, government bureaus, and universities—they formed an intellectual network with considerable influence over the nation's approach to poverty. This carefully researched book adds a great deal to our understanding of the war on poverty and should command the attention of policy historians on both sides of the Atlantic." -- Edward Berkowitz, George Washington University, and coauthor of
The Other WelfareTable of ContentsIntroduction
Part One: A Science of Poverty (1945-1963)
1. The Poverty Paradox
2. The Poverty Culture
3. The New Wisconsin Idea
4. Beyond the Affluent Society
Part Two: From Science to War (1963-1974)
5. An Economist at War
6. A Pyrrhic Victory
7. Uncertainty of Numbers, Certainty of Decisions
8. A Doomed Alternative
Conclusion
Acknowledgments
Notes
Bibliography
Index
