The Moral Construction of Poverty: Welfare Reform in America

When allocating resources, should a distinction be made between the deserving and undeserving poor? Do gender, class or race play a role in designing welfare programmes? Why are welfare policies so charged with moral and political controversy? Discussing these and other significant issues, this volume provides an in-depth look at the historical and philosophical roots of the American welfare system, the strategies used to cope with their welfare crisis and current reform efforts.