All in the Family : The Private Roots of American Public Policy / Patricia Strach.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Strach, Patricia, Author.

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource (264 p.) : 8 tables, 18 figures

Place of Publication:

Stanford, CA : Stanford University Press, [2022]

Language Note:

In English.

Summary:

Even a casual observer of American politics might notice the importance of family in political rhetoric like the Republicans' "family values" and the Democrats' "working families," but we know surprisingly little about the role of family in American politics. We typically think of family as "private" and out of the public realm of politics or we associate family and public policy with so-called family policies, such as welfare or family leave. The goal of this book is to clarify the relationship between seemingly private family life and federal public policies. It asks two important questions: How do policymakers employ the concept of family in the policy process? And, what are the consequences of employing this concept broadly in public policy? All in the Family is the first empirical study of family in the American policy process. It shows that, far from being "private" or only a part of "family policy," family is an important part of American policymaking even in seemingly "non-family" policies like immigration, tax, and agriculture. Policymakers rely on family to determine eligibility, distribute goods, and provide justification for their positions across a wide range of policies. Ultimately, this book shows that seemingly private life makes American public policy possible, and it suggests that the ability of policymakers to accomplish their goals is intimately tied to the strength and organization of American families. Yet, it also demonstrates that relying on a dynamic institution like family can have unintended consequences, potentially destabilizing policies over time.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

List of Illustrations

List of Tables

Acknowledgments

1. Family and American Public Policy

2. Family in the Policy Process

3. Changing Social Practices, Changing Policy

4. Family Criteria in Immigration Policy

5. Taxing the Family

6. Rhetoric and Reality: The Family Farm

7. Conclusion

Appendixes

Notes

Bibliography

Index

Notes:

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (publisher's Web site, viewed 31. Jan 2022)

ISBN:

0-8047-6832-3

OCLC:

1294426759