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Engages readers with an easy-to-read, informative, time-tested presentation that instructors have used for 35 years. New co-author, David Johnson, adds strength to the discussion of issues, particularly in critical issues such as healthcare.
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Contrasts rational and political approaches to social welfare policy and provides models for analyzing and evaluating social policies and programs to help students develop policy practice skills.
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Presents contrasting points of view that place social welfare policymaking in dynamic perspective in the current policy environment.
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UPDATED: Discusses the latest in public policies, such as the status of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), including major Supreme Court decisions. (See Chapter 8)
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UPDATED: Considers alternatives to current social welfare policies and programs to help students think critically about public policy and what alternatives the U.S. should pursue. (i.e. Chapter 5 (How to modernize and keep Social Security and other social insurance programs solvent), Ch. 9 (How we can reduce income and other social inequalities), Ch. 7 (How we can promote responsible parenthood), Ch. 8 (How we can see that all Americans have health insurance), Ch. 9 (How we can reduce income and other social inequalities), and 10 (The war on drugs)).
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UPDATED: Considers issues such as campaign finance, political contributions, and lobbying— topics often not covered in social welfare policy texts—to help students recognize the complexity of social welfare policies and programs. (See Chapter 1)
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Considers six different ways to look at poverty and the different approaches to poverty that emanate from them (See Chapter 4); also looks at different perspectives from which to view disability and the different approaches that have resulted. (See Chapter 6)
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Addresses issues of financing social welfare programs, including tax policy and federal budget deficits as well as the politics involved in influencing candidates and legislation through political action committees and campaign financing.
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NEW: Presents the latest developments in LGBT rights such as the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and legislation and court decisions supporting same-sex marriage. (See Chapter 11)
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UPDATED: Updated figures on poverty and health insurance coverage by age, race, and other sociodemographic factors help students see the current state of affairs and the changes that have occurred over time as a result of public policy.
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UPDATED: Updated comparisons with other countries and international views help students see where the U.S. stands in relation to other countries and the approaches other countries use to helping those in need. Information is also provided on international conventions on children’s rights and on disability. (See Chapters 4, 7, and 8)
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UPDATED: Updated illustrations (boxed inserts, examples, tables, charts) help students visualize how they can become involved in the policy making processes, connect policies and programs to real life examples, and evaluate public policy. (i.e. Introduction, Chapters 1 and 2)
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NEW: New tables and figures help readers visualize changes, trends, and other facets of social welfare.
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Supplements teaching and learning with chapters that include discussion questions, activities, and extensive references. An Instructor’s Manual with test questions and PowerPoint presentations is also available.