Political Science

Discussion 4A: Welfare

Proponents of expanded welfare programs argue that welfare provides a safety net for its recipients as well as a means of providing order to society by preventing the desperately poor from engaging in crime, riots, or even insurrection. What function do welfare policies perform in society? What might American society be like if such programs were not available to the poor? Opponents of welfare programs argue that welfare programs actually hurt the poor by creating a cycle of dependency and a permanent underclass in society. How might welfare programs actually hurt the groups and individuals that they intend to help? Given the functions that welfare and “poor support” generally perform in society, what alternatives exist? Is there a way of providing support without incurring unintended negative consequences? What is that and how that works?

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Discussion 4B : Environment/Energy

Recently, the federal government has granted large tax credits to Americans who purchase gas-electric hybrid vehicles. California has modified its law to allow hybrid car owners to drive in the less-crowded highway carpool lanes. Do you think that such “giveaways” are more effective than higher fuel taxes in convincing Americans to exchange their large, inefficient cars for more environmentally friendly models? What other “cost” or “benefit” might encourage drivers to make the switch?

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