Crash Course Government and Politics | Social Policy: Episode 49

Introduction

• Host: Craig Benzine
• Topic: Social policy in the United States
• Goals: Protect Americans from risk, promote equal opportunity, assist the poor

Social Policy Goals

1. Protection from Risk:
   • Programs designed to protect individuals from job loss, health problems, or disability.
2. Promoting Equal Opportunity:
   • Programs aimed at ensuring everyone has the same chances for success.
3. Assisting the Poor:
   • Programs designed to help the economically disadvantaged.

American Attitudes Towards Social Policy

• Strong faith in individualism
• Preference for private charity and self-reliance over government intervention
• Skepticism towards redistributive programs

Historical Context

• The New Deal: Initiated during the Great Depression, changed the perception of government role in social welfare.
  • Social Security:
    • Established in 1935 to assist elderly persons without jobs or pensions.
    • Funded by payroll taxes (7.65%) split between Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%).
    • Redistributes wealth from younger, working population to retired individuals.
  • Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC):
    • Originally provided payments to women with children.
    • Replaced by Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) in 1996.

Modern Social Policy Programs

• Social Security:
  • Popular among both liberals and conservatives.
  • Funded by a regressive payroll tax.
  • Faces challenges due to demographic shifts (more retirees, fewer workers contributing).
  • Potential solutions: Increase payroll tax or retirement age.
• Medicare:
  • Covers medical expenses for elderly, funded by payroll taxes.
  • Faces challenges due to rising healthcare costs.
• TANF (Temporary Aid to Needy Families):
  • Enforces work and time restrictions (two years consecutively, five years total limit).
  • Aimed at reducing dependency on welfare.

Education and Opportunity

• Education as a Key Social Policy:
  • Widely accepted as a means to increase opportunity.
  • Aim: Educate individuals to secure high-paying jobs reducing government's welfare responsibilities.

Conclusion

• Social policy encompasses redistribution of wealth, education, and support for those unable to help themselves.
• Encourages thinking about the role of government in social issues.

Additional Resources

• Stream on PBS.org and PBS App
• Explore more episodes on related topics such as foreign policy and economic policy.