Survey after survey has shown that the Americans who support increased funding for social programs also think–somewhat paradoxically–that “welfare” should be cut. Does that paradox exist because the face of welfare that people see on the news is, more often than not, black? Martin Gilens answers yes to this question in Why Americans Hate Welfare. Drawing on surveys of public attitudes and analyses of more than forty years of television and newsmagazine stories … More >>
Why Americans Hate Welfare: Race, Media, and the Politics of Antipoverty Policy
This books holds little appeal beyond the realm of Political Scientist. As someone university educated in the field I respect the many years research placed into this book. The explainations are extremely thorough- too much so?- and coupled with extensive graphs and charts. This is a great reference source on the subject of Public Opinion about welfare.
However, the book is a bore. Once you read the preface, introduction and first chapter you’ve basically finished the book. The rest explains each point- point by point. Interjected between points is explanations of each method used to analyze the point. Is examining the methods used to examine something overkill? Not in itself. However, Gilens drowns casual readers in analysis; and analysis of analysis. He seems to repeat himself often, as if restatement helps drive the point home. After several pages on a topic I could understand by reading a 1 page chart, I just wanted him to move on. Get to the point!
The insights are nothing new to those of use who ignored the dogmatic ramblings of both the ideological left and right for years. Gilens raises questions of racism and classism in people’s opinions. That isn’t anything new- to some of us
The book gets 4 stars only because of the extensiveness with which it examines the topic. Those intrested in Public Opinion, Welfare or the details of political research should check it out. Everyone else avoid.
Rating: 4 / 5
This book should be required reading in every high school civic class. Gilens dispels the myths of the “deserving” and “undeserving” poor and the myths of the racial composition of welfare recipients. The text is extremely well researched and clearly written. I highly recommend this book to everyone.
Rating: 5 / 5
The finding that welfare policies are not popular is not new, but Marty Gilens carefully analyzes the reasons people give for disliking welfare. By embedding experiments within surveys, he is able to gain insight into topics which would otherwise remain obscured. In effect, he is able to trick participants into revealing their true beliefs on race and welfare. The conclusions he reaches are new, convincing, and thought-provoking. In short, this is an excellent book for anyone interested in either public opinion research methodology or welfare politics.
Rating: 5 / 5