Study Questions

  1. Describe the trends and experience of poverty in the United States. How many people are impacted, what are the trends, and which groups are impacted more severely? How do policy experts measure poverty?
  2. Explain the two divergent political perspectives on the causes and policy solutions for addressing poverty.
  3. Trace the history of the Social Security program and its goal. Who is eligible, and how is the program funded? What poses a risk to Social Security in future years?
  4. Discuss the prominent welfare programs that provide some basic needs for nutrition and cash. How did the major reform of welfare change the program in the mid-1990s? What reforms to welfare programs are needed?
  5. Compare the two major entitlement programs in terms of popularity and effectiveness.