Beyond Altruism: Social Welfare Policy in American Society

"When one is dealing with matters like the welfare poor and control of threatening behavior and abuse of young children and teenage pregnancy, there are few neutrals." . So begins Willard Richan's challenging new book on social welfare policy. Beyond Altruism proceeds from the assumption that social welfare policy is not formulated in an environment free from politics and special interests. The allocation and redistribution of resources, the setting of policy priorities, and even the licensing of social workers are issues that are highly charged and are of enormous signficance to both the parts and the whole of society.