SOCIAL WELFARE POLICYMAKING Chapter 18 SOCIAL WELFARE CONTROVERSY

SOCIAL WELFARE POLICYMAKING Chapter 18

SOCIAL WELFARE CONTROVERSY Social welfare is one of the most controversial topics in politics. What is social welfare and what do you think our government’s role so be in it? Constitutionally, what does it say?

TYPES OF SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMS Entitlement programs-qualified group (not controversial) Means-tested programs-benefits people with specific needs (controversial) Americans view them differently: deserving poor and undeserving poor

TRUE OR FALSE? America has one of the highest per capita incomes in the world. The median household income is around $50, 000. America has an average income gap.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS 1. Analyze the following table of data. 2. Graph the statistics. 3. Figure out the mathematical trend. 4. Match historical dates with the income trends.

MOST IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTORS TO POVERTY Race and family are the most important contributors to poverty African-Americans, Hispanics, unmarried women, and inner-city residents Used to be the elderly, now women and children

TAXATION Taxes have a big factor in incomes Progressive: tax increase with your income increase Proportional: fixed taxes and different with each class system Regressive: Which decreases as income increases is the best tax program for the rich? The poor? For America?

Take a moment to research what the pros and cons are for both the rich and poor on each tax type. Now analyze the information from the government’s perspective. RESEARCH BREAK

GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURES Government Earned Income Tax Credit Transfer Major help out the poor by: payments Social Welfare programs Social security, Medicare, Unemployment insurance (Entitlement) Medicaid, food stamps, TANF, SSI, CHIPs (Means. Tested)

Welfare increases Welfare decreases New deal • Social Security Reagan’s presidency Welfare Reform Personal responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act • Conditions for welfare recipients Great Society Decrease of programs until mid 1990 s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families War on Poverty SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMS HISTORICALLY

SOCIAL SECURITY Population trends in America, immigration and Baby Boom generation has caused the government to reconsider spending Social Many security is the most expensive public policy argue that the future of social security is shaky because people are living longer and the Baby Boom generation is retiring

HISTORICAL TRENDS Each group is going to take a decade and research social welfare policies that the federal government passed. Then map out each of the events and determine what caused changes in these trends.

WELFARE REFORM Find another country and figure out what social welfare policies are. Then compare it to our policies. Suggest policies. some changes to our current reform