Social welfare programs often get blamed for the nation's budget woes. Is that fair? Gain insight into our reluctant social welfare system from a top scholar on the subject. Bruce Jansson analyzes the evolution of the American welfare state from colonial times to the present--placing social policy in its political, cultural and societal context. Rather than passively reading, you'll interact with the issues, oppressed populations, ethical choices, social and ideological conflicts, advocates and policies in preceding eras and in the contemporary period. You'll see how vulnerable populations and social reformers have achieved progressive reforms through policy advocacy. THE RELUCTANT WELFARE STATE also helps you develop the core competencies and practice behaviors outlined in the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) set by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).