The Breaking of the American Social Compact - Softcover

Piven, Frances Fox; Cloward, Richard A.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1565844769 ISBN 13: 9781565844766

Publisher: New Press, The, 1998

Synopsis

The Breaking of the American Social Compact is a landmark volume from two of our most perceptive social critics. Frances Fox Piven and Richard Cloward address the tumultuous politics of the past three decades that have culminated in an all-out assault on the American social compact. Delving into the political dynamics behind the rise of the working class in the 1930s and 1960s, Piven and Cloward assign singular importance to disruptive protest and examine the ways protest has dwindled since the 1960s and how many reforms gained then have been swept away. They cover the dramatic changes of recent years, from the breakup of the traditional Democratic Party, to the new power struggles between blacks and whites in northern cities, to the increasing demonization of immigrants and the poor everywhere. Finally, they examine the politics underlying governmental "reform," arguing that the recent devolution of federal authority is simply a strategy to increase the influence of business.

About this title

From Library Journal:

Piven and Cloward are academics (at City University of New York and Columbia University, respectively) and the well-known authors of Regulating the Poor (LJ 6/1/71). Of the 21 essays offered here, three on globalization and labor and one on "contemporary poor relief" are particularly interesting. The former refute the "economic determinism" of global economic changes, examining the role of special interest groups in the United States and comparing changes in unions, welfare programs, and income gap with other Western democracies. The latter essay discusses the economic interplay of labor and welfare. All the selections reflect a more leftist point of view than is commonly heard in the current debate. Although it is unclear where many were previously published, at least four are reprinted from journals widely held in academic libraries. This stimulating volume by two highly respected authors is a worthwhile addition for most academic libraries.?Mary Jane Brustman, SUNY at Albany Libs.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review:

Frances Fox Piven and Richard Cloward are national treasures. Their brilliance, creativity, radical honesty, and social commitment come across in every page. -- Marcus Raskin, Distinguished Fellow, Institute for Policy Studies

In the face of the current assault on welfare, [Piven and Cloward] stand their ground... in these thoughtful essays. -- Booklist

Scholarly yet accessible.... Don't miss it! -- Katha Pollitt

[A] thought-provoking antidote to currently popular theories of public policy. -- Publishers Weekly

About this edition

• Publisher: New Press, The
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 1565844769
• ISBN 13: 9781565844766
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 464