Description
In 1964, Lyndon Johnson declared an "unconditional war on poverty," launching a variety of new antipoverty programs and enhancing existing ones. This war is still being fought. But with what success? And at what cost? Incorporating new data from the 2000 census, the eighth edition of Programs in Aid of the Poor provides an up-to-date, comprehensive overview of current federal programs aimed at alleviating poverty in the United States. The authors focus on programs that offer cash support, provide goods and services to poor people, address the well-being of children and youth, prepare young people to earn above-poverty incomes, and offer adults a second chance to earn their way out of poverty. They also discuss the definition of poverty, identify who the poor are, and generalize the causes of poverty.
"To an extent," the authors find, "we have prosecuted our war against poverty the way Senator George Aiken of Vermont advised that we do in Vietnam: 'Declare victory and go home.' Yet the war against poverty has not been abandoned. Skirmishes continue, with widely fluctuating commitment."
Co-authors Garth and Stephen Mangum and Andrew Sum have also prepared a companion volume, The Persistence of Poverty in the United States, analyzing the underlying causes of poverty and its persistence in America.Reviews
"A very good book. Few who have written on poverty and governmental measures to alleviate the problems of poor people have as much well-selected information and insight."—Philip Booth, Journal of Business , reviewing a previous edition or volume"An excellent resource for sociologists, economists, political scientists, and social workers interested in aiding the poor."—John S. Holik, Sociology , reviewing a previous edition or volume "Packed into the 140 small pages of Programs in Aid of the Poor is everything that the behavioral scientist wants to know about poor people and the programs designed to assist them but doesn't know whom to ask or what sources to consult . . . Superior skill in the manipulation of quantitative information and in the building of social indices is demonstrated. It is, in short, an excellent book."—W. G. Steglich, Annals of Regional Science , reviewing a previous edition or volume "A handy descriptive summary of existing programs in the American War on Poverty for both the layman and the professional economist."—Joseph A. Licari, Separatum , reviewing a previous edition or volume "This is an excellent little book. It is a well written and comprehensive compendium of the variety of programs that currently exist and includes the rudiments of good analysis."—James E. Hibdon, Rocky Mountain Social Science Journal , reviewing a previous edition or volume "This is a businesslike, readable, and generally useful little guide to and commentary on the United States' organized antipoverty efforts . . . The programs are set forth in logical sequence, measured in dollar and manpower terms, and briefly evaluated against their objectives . . . We have here a remarkably comprehensive compliation whose contents should be absorbed by those who make public policy."—David T. Stanley, Manpower , reviewing a previous edition or volume "As a primer, well-written and descriptive, this book, unlike most, will prove quite useful. No sophistication in economics is required of its audience. Thus, for the interested citizen or public official with limited time but an interest in familiarizing himself with the subject, it is a good starting point. For those with an analytic bent, however, it is a comfortable and fact-filled reference, generous in opinion and descriptive detail."—Harold M. Hochman, American Political Science Review , reviewing a previous edition or volume
Author Information
Sar A. Levitan (1914–1994) was research professor and director of the George Washington University Center for Social Policy Studies. He published sixteen books with Johns Hopkins, including Working but Poor (with Isaac Shapiro). Garth L. Mangum is Professor of Economics Emeritus at the University of Utah.Stephen L. Mangum is senior associate dean for academic programs in the Max M. Fisher College of Business at Ohio State University, Columbus. Andrew M. Sum is a professor of economics and director of the Center for Labor and Market Studies at Northeastern University in Boston.
|
Add paperback to shopping cart