Poor America: A Comparative-Historical Study of Poverty in the U.S. and Western Europe

by Samuel J. Eldersveld

Overview

Poor America describes the sharp contrast in the extent of poverty between the United States and six Western European countries. While 36 million Americans live below the poverty line, a much smaller percent of Western Europeans struggle with the same problem. Samuel J. Eldersveld seeks to discover why this variance exists by exploring various theories. To explain the larger percentage of American poor, he tackles the history of poverty in each of the featured countries along with examining the 'system theory' approach, the role of values, the political elite character in the United States compared to Europe, and the differential robes of the business elites in these countries. Poor America follows the issue of poverty through the present day, discussing proposals and prospects for reform in poverty relief in the United States.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780739146637
Publisher:	Lexington Books
Publication date:	02/22/2010
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	178
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Samuel J. Eldersveld is professor of political science emeritus at the University of Michigan.

Table of Contents

List of Tables and Figures viii

Preface ix

Part I The State of Poverty in the United States and Western Europe: Five Theoretical Approaches Seeking to Explain the Variance 1

1 The Challenge to America: The State of Poor Relief in Western Europe and the United States 3

2 The Historical Experience as a Partial Explanation 15

3 Attitudes, Beliefs, and Values as an Explanation of the Variance 29

4 Political Institutions As Explanations For the Contrast in Anti-Poverty Legislation in Western Europe and the United States 37

5 The Role of Political Elites and the Elite System in Explaining Poverty Relief in the United States and Western Europe 45

6 The Business Elite's Political Role in the United States Compared to Europe 55

Part II Historical Studies of Poverty in the United States, the Netherlands, Britain, France, Belgium, Germany and Sweden 63

7 Early American History of Poverty 65

8 A History of Poverty in Western Europe: The Dutch Experience 85

9 The Early French and Belgian History of Poverty to 1900 99

10 The English Historical Experience with Poverty 111

11 Sweden and Germany's Historical Experience with Poverty 117

Part III Final Observations: The 20th Century and Today 125

12 The Finalization of Social Reform and Anti-Poverty Legislation in the United States and Western Europe In The 20th Century 127

13 Conclusion: What Are The Prospects? 141

Bibliography 155

Index 163

About the author 165

Editorial Reviews

A worthwhile, thought-provoking book. Recommended.

CHOICE

A worthwhile, thought-provoking book. Recommended.

Choice

A worthwhile, thought-provoking book. Recommended.

Choice Reviews