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Words of Welfare The Poverty of Social Science and the Social Science of Poverty Sanford F. Schram |
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"Illuminating. Schram proposes that the important and neglected dimension of welfare policy is symbolic, and the symbols or interpretations constructed by welfare policy discourses are transmitted both by words and arguments about policy and by welfare practices." —Frances Fox Piven, from the foreword Despite large amounts of federal funding to support social science research on the causes of poverty, little progress has been made in reducing poverty. In fact, it appears to have worsened dramatically in recent years. Part of the reason for this, argues Sanford Schram, is that policy analysis has come to serve the needs of the state at the expense of its citizens. In the case of welfare policy in particular, analysis is often geared toward managing poverty rather than trying to lessen it, with a focus on controlling the behavior of "the poor." Moreover, research on poverty and welfare dependency is frequently based on questionable assumptions about the economic structures of late capitalist societies, thus neglecting the importance of perspective in social science research. Words of Welfare offers an important and enlightening critique of how welfare policy is analyzed and set in the United States, illustrating that how we study issues affects what ultimately gets done about them. Issues examined in Words of Welfare include the drawing of the poverty line, the setting of benefit levels, the feminization of poverty, homelessness, the underclass, welfare dependency, recent attempts to reform welfare, and the implications for welfare in the emerging global, postindustrial economy. Schram demonstrates how research on these issues can be done differently and more effectively. Providing an illuminating view of welfare policy in the U.S., Words of Welfare will provoke extensive discussion in a wide variety of related fields, and should become required reading for members of Congress and all citizens concerned with reform. "This book is an essential resource for any discussion of "welfare" as we know it." —Contemporary Sociology "In these times of horribly regressive and destructive welfare reform, this book provides a much needed political analysis of welfare policy and research." —Political Science Quarterly "Words of Welfare can also be recommended for its willingness to promote a progressive agenda in these conservative times as well as for its insights into the politically embedded nature of most welfare policy research. Words of Welfare deserves to be widely read and vigorously debated within the welfare policy research community." —Social Science Review "Schram's book provides passionate, provocative, and well-developed ideas. The author's thesis is convincingly defended, alerting us all to the system's capacity to preserve itself, to maintain the status quo, by appearing to be seriously undermined by the "demands" of its neediest citizens, thus making both victims and villains of welfare recipients." —Readings Sanford Schram is associate professor of political science at Macalester College and has worked with various community groups over the past two decades to promote social science research that serves ordinary people rather than just policy makers. He has written numerous articles on poverty and social science research methods. Winner of the 1995 American Political Science Association's Michael Harrington Award 256 pages | 5 7/8 x 9 | 12 figures, 7 tables | 1995 |
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$24.00 Paper