The Politics of Welfare Reform

The issue of welfare reform has been predominant on the United States public agenda for almost three decades. Major initiatives undertaken in welfare reform since 1992 are examined in this book, with specific case studies on California, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Each study focuses on: factors that motivated reform; the political process that led to its adoption; the objectives sought by the reform; and an assessment of the probability that each would achieve its objective. Introductory and concluding chapters analyze national trends in welfare reform.

By examining reform efforts in California, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, and Wisconsin. . . the editors provide timely illustrations of the factors leading to reform, the manner by which reform was achieved, and an assessment of whether reform would ultimately remedy flaws in the system. --J. L. Kaniss in Choice Welfare reform has been on the public agenda in the United States for 2 1/2 decades. By 1992, major initiatives were underway in several states. The Politics of Welfare Reform examines welfare reform in six states that represents the most substantial changes in public assistance in several decades: California, Michigan, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The case studies focus on the factors that motivated welfare reform, the political process that led to the adoption of the reforms, the objectives sought by the reforms, and an assessment of the likelihood that the reforms would achieve their objective. Introductory and concluding essays knit together national trends in welfare reform and summarize results of recent evaluations of various reform proposals. The Politics of Welfare Reform is the perfect volume for students and scholars in policy studies, public administration, political science, and public health. "Norris and Thompson attempt to determine how the current debate over welfare reform has developed and spread within and throughout the federal system. By examining reform efforts in California, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, and Wisconsin--governments whose innovative leadership in the area of welfare and its reform is well documented--the editors provide timely illustrations of the factors leading to reform, the manner by which reform was achieved, and an assessment of whether reform would ultimately remedy flaws in the system. While the text concedes that welfare reform is primarily about politics, not poverty or welfare, the editors conclude by proposing ways in which the politics of welfare reform could itself be improved." --Choice