360 pp., 6.125 x 9.25, 22 illus., 7 tables, appends., notes,
bibl., index In a provocative assessment of American poverty and
policy from 1950 to the present, Frank Stricker examines an era
that has seen serious discussion about the causes of poverty and
unemployment. Analyzing the War on Poverty, theories of the
culture of poverty and the underclass, the effects of
Reaganomics, and the 1996 welfare reform, Stricker demonstrates
that most antipoverty approaches are futile without the presence
(or creation) of good jobs. Stricker notes that since the 1970s,
U.S. poverty levels have remained at or above 11%, despite
training programs and periods of economic growth. The creation
of jobs has continued to lag behind the need for them. Stricker
argues that a serious public debate is needed about the job
situation; social programs must be redesigned, a national health
care program must be developed, and economic inequality must be
addressed. He urges all sides to be honest--if we don't want to
eliminate poverty, the