Question 1

How would the economist John Maynard Keynes react to a recession in contrast to Milton Friedman?

Accepted Answer

John Maynard Keynes and Milton Friedman had contrasting views on how to react to a recession. Keynes, a proponent of government intervention in the economy, would likely advocate for increased government spending and lower interest rates to stimulate demand and boost economic activity during a recession. He believed that government intervention was necessary to prevent prolonged periods of high unemployment and stagnant economic growth.

On the other hand, Milton Friedman, a proponent of free market principles, would likely argue for minimal government intervention during a recession. He believed that the market should be left to correct itself and that government intervention, such as increased spending, could lead to inflation and distortions in the economy. Friedman would advocate for a focus on monetary policy, such as controlling the money supply, to stabilize the economy during a recession.

In summary, Keynes would advocate for increased government spending and intervention during a recession, while Friedman would argue for minimal government intervention and a focus on monetary policy. Their differing views reflect the ongoing debate between government intervention and free market principles in economic policy.

Question 2

The authors describe neoliberalism as a rightward shift away from the liberal support for a government-funded welfare state.What best represents an example of a neoliberal policy proposal?

Accepted Answer

Neoliberalism emphasizes free-market capitalism and often involves reducing government spending on social services. Expanded government funding for education, research, and job training, while not directly reducing welfare, does not align with the neoliberal emphasis on reducing government intervention and spending in the economy, making it the least representative of a neoliberal policy proposal among the options provided.

Question 3

How can social welfare programs benefit the business community?

Accepted Answer

Social welfare programs can benefit the business community in several ways. Firstly, these programs can help to reduce poverty and inequality, which in turn can lead to a more stable and prosperous society. This can create a larger consumer base for businesses, as more people have the means to purchase goods and services.

Additionally, social welfare programs can also help to improve the overall health and well-being of the workforce. This can lead to higher productivity, lower absenteeism, and lower healthcare costs for businesses. By providing a safety net for employees, businesses can also attract and retain top talent, as workers feel more secure in their jobs.

Furthermore, social welfare programs can also lead to a more educated and skilled workforce. Programs that support education and job training can help to create a more competitive and innovative workforce, which can benefit businesses in the long run.

Overall, social welfare programs can create a more stable and prosperous society, which can benefit the business community by creating a larger consumer base, improving the health and well-being of the workforce, and creating a more educated and skilled workforce.

Question 4

How would a free market economist justify welfare spending?

Accepted Answer

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Question 5

What is meant by "good" and "bad" public spending categories? Give an example of each.

Accepted Answer

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Question 6

What would represent a social welfare response to the problem of ex-offender underemployment?

Accepted Answer

Providing no cost job training and employment counseling would represent a social welfare response to the problem of ex-offender underemployment. This approach would help ex-offenders develop the skills and knowledge needed to secure employment and would not place any financial burden on them. Additionally, it would acknowledge the challenges that ex-offenders face when reentering society and would provide them with much-needed support. The other options (A, B, and C) would limit ex-offender opportunities and could potentially make it more difficult for them to find employment, exacerbating the issue of underemployment.

Question 7

Conservatives underestimated three key factors in their work to change social programs.Which of the following is not one of those factors?

Accepted Answer

Conservatives did not underestimate the fact that most people do not want governmental regulation of services. On the contrary, this was one of the arguments used to support their proposals for privatization and deregulation of social programs.

Question 8

Decisions reached by nonprofit agencies are examples of

Accepted Answer

Nonprofit agencies are organizations that operate on a voluntary basis and are usually funded by donations, grants, or other charitable contributions. The decisions they make are therefore classified as voluntary social welfare policy.

Question 9

The American social welfare system is

Accepted Answer

The American social welfare system has been undergoing changes and is moving in a more conservative direction, focusing on reducing government spending and promoting individual responsibility.

Question 10

Since 2008,unemployment in the United States has fallen,but remains around five percent.How would a Keynesian economist attempt to decrease unemployment?

Accepted Answer

A Keynesian economist would advocate for an increase in government spending to stimulate demand and create jobs, which can be done through the process of printing more money. This approach is known as deficit spending and is based on the concept of the government "priming the pump" to get the economy moving. Other options listed, such as decreasing individual tax rates or reducing government regulations on businesses, would not directly address the issue of unemployment. And increasing tax rates on corporations may have unintended consequences, such as discouraging investment or driving businesses overseas.

Question 11

American social welfare programs are

Accepted Answer

American social welfare programs are provided by both the public and private sectors. The government provides programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, while private organizations offer programs such as employee benefits and charitable assistance.

Question 12

The authors present Cultural Conservatism as the most current manifestation of a conservative political ideology.How Cultural Conservatism be most easily distinguished from other forms of conservatism?

Accepted Answer

Cultural Conservatism promotes conformity in social affairs, which sets it apart from other forms of conservatism that do not necessarily prioritize adherence to traditional social norms and values. Conservative ideologies like libertarianism, for example, prioritize individual freedom over conformity to social norms, while traditional conservatism tends to focus more on fiscal and foreign policy matters rather than social conservatism. Cultural Conservatism, on the other hand, emphasizes the importance of preserving traditional social values and norms, often promoting policies that restrict individual freedoms and promote social conformity.

Question 13

According to the authors,one's belief about what constitutes the public good has a significant impact on one's political view.How would a person who values self-sufficiency,work,and the marketplace tend to vote?

Accepted Answer

A person who values self-sufficiency, work, and the marketplace is likely to align with Republican values, which emphasize individual responsibility, free markets, and limited government intervention.

Question 14

The function of social welfare is

Accepted Answer

The function of social welfare is to provide benefits to people to meet their basic life needs. This includes assistance to those who are poor or vulnerable and may also extend to services that promote well-being and quality of life for all members of society. It is not about distinguishing between the worthy and the unworthy, nor is it exclusively focused on enhancing relationships among diverse groups (although this may be a secondary benefit).

Question 15

What would happen to the price of a hamburger if fast food restaurants were required to pay a living wage to all employees so that EITC benefits would be unnecessary?

Accepted Answer

If fast food restaurants were required to pay a living wage to all employees, their labor costs would increase significantly. To cover these increased costs, they would either have to raise the price of their products or reduce their profit margins. Considering that a major portion of the fast-food industry's revenue comes from selling food items like hamburgers, it is likely that the price of hamburgers would go up. Therefore, option A is the most probable scenario.

Question 16

All of the following are examples of in-kind benefits except

Accepted Answer

In-kind benefits are non-cash benefits that provide goods or services to individuals. Public assistance refers to cash benefits such as TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families). Therefore, public assistance is not an example of in-kind benefits. B, C, and D are all examples of in-kind benefits because they provide specific goods or services (food, nutrition assistance, and energy assistance) to eligible individuals.

Question 17

What are the main differences between traditional liberalism and neoliberalism?

Accepted Answer

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Question 18

How is social welfare becoming,as the text describes,a "big business"?

Accepted Answer

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Question 19

What political ideology would be most likely to support an expansion of Social Security benefits?

Accepted Answer

Liberalism typically supports government programs aimed at providing a safety net for individuals, including Social Security benefits. Expansion of such programs would align with this political ideology.

Question 20

Social welfare policy flows from a mixed economy.This means that

Accepted Answer

Social welfare policy in a mixed economy is a collaborative effort between governmental, voluntary, and corporate sectors. All three entities contribute to the system and play important roles in providing support and assistance to those in need. For example, the government may provide financial subsidies to non-profit organizations that provide social services, while corporations may offer employee benefits such as health care or childcare.

Quiz 1: Social Policy and the American Welfare State