Introduction to Key Issues

This book examines ten key issues—poverty, housing, taxation and the economy, child welfare, education, health, criminal justice, civil rights, and global issues—confronting social work professionals and places them in their larger context. The introduction to each issue identifies its genesis or the reasons that the issue became a dominant theme in the policymaking agendas of Congress.

Arguments and Perspectives

The second and third sections of each issue provide actual arguments written and spoken by elected officials, both in the U.S. Congress and the Presidency, representing liberal versus conservative viewpoints on the issues. By providing the actual text of the arguments and refraining from interpreting and biasing the political viewpoints of the legislators, the book enables students to critically evaluate each side of the debate and to become empowered to bring about change.

Balanced Viewpoint

The vantage point of Dynamics of Social Welfare Policy is that both liberal and conservative policymakers have good reasons for holding their respective beliefs. Students thus are provided with the opportunity to learn about the other side. This knowledge will improve students' confidence when approaching policymakers and enhance their ability to be effective advocates. Understanding both sides of issues central to social work professionals will facilitate the development of arguments and policy options that satisfy decision makers of either political orientation.