The third lie : why government programs don't work : and a blueprint for change / Richard J. Gelles.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Gelles, Richard J.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Health care reform--United States.

Health care reform.

Educational sociology--United States.

Educational sociology.

Public welfare--United States.

Public welfare.

Middle class--United States--Economic conditions--21st century.

Middle class.

United States--Social policy--1993-.

United States.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (153 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Walnut Creek, Calif. : Left Coast Press, c2011.

Summary:

"I am from the government and I am here to help you" is one of the three biggest lies, or so the old joke goes. Richard J. Gelles, dean of social policy at University of Pennsylvania, explains why government programs designed to cure social ills don't work in sector after sector...and never could work. He demonstrates how each creates its own bureaucracy to monitor participation in the program, an entrenched administrative apparatus whose needs supersede those for whom the program was designed. Against this, he contrasts universal programs such as the GI Bill, Social Security, and Medicare,

Contents:

Introduction: government programs : the good, the bad, and the ugly

There ought to be a law!

When good intentions go bad : the education of Jennifer Felix

Programs that work

Effective government social programs: a new blueprint

Rebuilding Main Street : the futures account

Round up the usual suspects

The drunk and the lamp post

The emperor's wardrobe consultant

Notes

Index.

Notes:

First published 2011 by Left Coast Press, Inc.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on metadata supplied by the publisher and other sources.

ISBN:

1-315-41703-0

1-315-41704-9

1-315-41705-7

1-61132-052-6

9781315417059

OCLC:

768119663