American Social Welfare Policy: A Pluralist Approach (4th Edition)

This best-selling text provides a comprehensive overview of social welfare policy in the United States while examining such cutting-edge issues as technology and social welfare policy and the relationship between tax policy and social welfare policy.

The new edition has been thoroughly updated to reflect the impact of dramatic changes in social welfare policy. The text examines how the major sectors of social welfare policy ― the voluntary, governmental, corporate, and private sectors ― operate and co-exist (the “pluralist approach”). It also offers a clear, user-friendly framework for policy analysis. The new edition includes coverage of the impact of welfare reform legislation.

The fourth edition has been reworked so that it is more accessible to students. The authors have trimmed down much of the narrative and used more bullets, charts, and graphs to make the material even easier to comprehend. A separate, updated supplement on social welfare policy and the Internet is available.

Now featuring a full-color design, the best-selling text for policy analysis provides students with a comprehensive overview of social welfare policy in the United States while examining cutting-edge issues.

Thoroughly updated and revised to reflect the impact of dramatic changes in social welfare policy, the Fifth Edition continues to focus on how the major sectors of social welfare policy—the voluntary, governmental, and corporate sectors—operate and co-exist (the “pluralist approach”), while also offering a clear, user-friendly framework for policy analysis.

Highlights of the Fifth Edition:

• NEW chapter on Religion and Social Policy examines the past and present relationship between religion and the creation and the implementation of social policy.
• Chapter 4, “Discrimination in American Society,” includes coverage of the minority middle class, a comprehensive examination of gay and lesbian marriage, and an updated section on immigration policies since September 11, 2001.
• Chapter 5, “Poverty in America,” includes a detailed section on the fringe economy, its impact on poverty, and a new section on Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) and the digital divide.
• Chapter 8, “The Making of Governmental Policy,” provides updates on special interests, lobbyists, and their influence on the 2004 election.
• Chapter 9, “Tax Policy and Income Distribution,” examines the impact of the Bush tax cuts on social welfare policy.
• Chapter 11, “Public Assistance Programs,” includes updated information on public assistance programs, including an evaluation of the effects of welfare reform legislation and new changes to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
• Chapter 16, “Housing Policies” includes new material on obstacles to homeownership, such as predatory home mortgages, increases in housing prices, and racial and class discrimination in home purchases.
• A newly revised companion website with practice tests, flashcards, web links, and more! www.ablongman.com/karger5e.

Don’t Miss These Exciting Value-Added Options!

Themes of the Times for Social Welfare Policy

This collection of recent articles from the New York Times will give insight into current issues and debates, highlighting interesting research, and show some of the practical applications of studying social welfare policy. Themes of the Times for Social Welfare Policy is available FREE when packaged with this text: 0-205-46204-9.

Controversial Issues in Social Policy, 2/e, Karger, et al.
This text is an edited collection of contemporary social policy debates conducted between some of the foremost thinkers in the field of social work, as well as prominent authors in other fields. Jargon-free debates make the text easily accessible and interesting for students. The text stresses the importance of critical and independent thought in the educational process. Controversial Issues in Social Policy is available FREE when packaged with this text: 0-205-47167-6.