THE FAMILY SUPPORT ACT OF 1988 REPRESENTS AN EXAMPLE OF THE CONTRADICTORY SYMBOLISM OF WELFARE UNDERCUTTING SUBSTANTIVE BENEFITS. THIS ARTICLE, USING POST-POSITIVISTIC ANALYSIS. EXPLORES THE CONTRADICTORY CHARACTER OF RECENT REVISIONS IN WELFARE POLICY. THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES THAT THESE CHANGES FULFILL SYMBOLIC PURPOSES, OFTEN AT THE EXPENSE OF THE PEOPLE SERVED BY THE PROGRAM.
The theory which has been propagated in China since the spring of 1958 has been designated by the phrase buduan geming lun, which means literally 'the theory of the uninterrupted revolution.' Nevertheless, since it resembles the same term employed for 30 yrs to stigmatize the theory of Trotsky, it seems legitimate to translate the phrase as 'the permanent revolution.' Though the theory has never been developed in the writings of Mao Tse-Tung, it has always been attributed to him, & constitutes a natural elaboration of certain of his earlier writings, notably 'On the Contradiction' (1937) & his discussion of 'hundred flowers' (1957). This theory contains several characteristics in common with Trotsky's views, particularly in that it envisions a continual uprooting of society during the transition stage between socialism & communism. The Chinese conception is more far reaching, however; it relies upon the ideas of Engels & Lenin concerning the dialectic of nature, it foresees an uninterrupted series of 'qualitative transformations' in soc relations springing from the development of productive forces even after Communism fully arrives, & it titles these transformations, revolutions, so that the potential number of revolutions becomes unlimited. More important is its role in the present Chinese society. It is a reflection of 30 yrs of constant struggle against internal & external adversaries, & an instrument for the mobilization of the masses to the service of present policies of 'the great leap forward' & of the peoples' communes. Tr. by J. A. Broussard from IPSA.
THE 1996 WELFARE-REFORM LAW HAS BEEN CHARACTERIZED AS A SIGNIFICANT ACT OF DEVOLUTION. FOR SOME, THIS DEVOLUTION WILL FREE STATES TO BECOME "LABORATORIES OF DEMOCRACY" THAT DEVELOP BETTER WELFARE POLICIES; FOR OTHERS, IT WILL PROVOKE A DEBILITATING "RACE TO THE BOTTOM" WHERE STATES WILL REDUCE BENEFITS OUT OF FEAR OF BECOMING "WELFARE MAGNETS" THAT ATTRACT RECIPIENTS FROM OTHER STATES. THIS ARTICLE SUGGESTS THAT NEITHER "LABORATORIES OF DEMOCRACY" NOR "RACE TO THE BOTTOM" DOES JUSTICE TO THE COMPLEXITIES OF THE 1996 REFORMS. IN THE CASE OF THE FORMER, NEW FEDERAL MANDATES LIMIT STATE ACTION AND STATES FACE INFORMAL PRESSURE TO "KEEP UP" WITH ONE ANOTHER IN DEVELOPING NEW RESTRICTIONS SO THAT THEY CAN AVOID BECOMING "WELFARE MAGNETS." WELFARE REFORM MAY PRODUCE A PROCEDURAL RACE TO THE BOTTOM THAT TURNS THE MYTH OF MIGRATION INTO A SELF-FULFILLING PROPHECY.
In response to concern about "welfare migration," some states have frozen benefit levels & are trying to institute lower benefits for newly arrived out-of-state applicants. There is also evidence that rising welfare rolls lead states not to raise benefits. Yet, a review of relevant literature & published statistics shows that interstate variation in welfare benefits has narrowed over the last two decades. There is also evidence that while comparison of benefit levels may discourage high-benefit states from raising benefits, states look more at themselves then at each other. The most significant factor affecting AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) benefit levels appears to lie in the intergovernmental arrangements for financing public assistance (ie, some states allow Food Stamps & Medicaid to substitute for AFDC). In addition, the migration of poor female-headed families is patterned after the migration of the population in general; they move to where there is job growth. A major political consequence of stressing welfare migration may be its symbolic value in reinforcing prejudices against welfare recipients. 5 Tables, 2 Figures. Adapted from the source document.
Block grants, intergovernmental relationships, expansion of the federal role, the federal budget, tobacco settlement and other state initiatives, executive order on federalism, and other issues; US; 7 articles, including one on Quebec.
