THE AUTHOR DEVELOPS A RAWLSIAN ANALYSIS OF THE UNITED STATES' EXISTING SOCIAL SECURITY PROGRAM. AFTER A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM, HE DISCUSSES RAWLS'S ARGUMENTS THAT AN IDEALLY JUST INDUSTRIALIZED SOCIETY WOULD INCLUDE, AMONG ITS BASIC INSTITUTIONS, A UNIVERSAL NONCONTRIBUTORY SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAM. THEN HE DEVELOPS A VARIETY OF QUASI-RAWLSIAN ARGUMENTS FOR A SOCIAL INSURANCE PROGRAM. FINALLY, HE USES THESE ARGUMENTS TO CRITICALLY EVALUATE THE CURRENT AMERICAN SOCIAL SECURITY PROGRAM AND SOME PROPOSED REFORMS.
Develops a perspective on social transformation and social change. The perspective is described as social transformations as inadvertent consequences of adaptation. 5 adaptive phases since World War 11 are identified in their economic, political, military and cultural aspects. (Original abstract - amended)
Develops a perspective on social transformation & social change that is best described as "social transformations as inadvertent consequences of adaptations." The major world transformations of the late 20th century -- continuing economic growth, continuing democratic revolution, new constellations of solidarity & identity, & the environmental crisis -- are not treated as master trends dictated by general evolutionary principles; rather, they are interpreted as unanticipated accumulations & precipitates of short-term adaptive strategies on the part of nations & groups of nations. Five adaptive phases since WWII are identified in their economic, political, military, & cultural aspects. 1 Photograph. Adapted from the source document.
The charts & tables contained in chapter 11 of Social Indicators, 1976 are examined. The wide range of social behavior that they cover includes topics such as: educational & occupational mobility, voting in national elections, volunteer work, charitable giving, participation in community organizations, views on religion, & feelings of anomie. All of these have bearing on the well-being of citizens. But the significance of most of the indicators for public policy is debatable. The factual conclusions that can be drawn from the tables & charts are discussed & additional information from recent research on some of the topics is presented, particularly on educational & occupational mobility, voting & political behavior, & participation in community organizations. 3 Tables, 3 Charts. Modified HA.
Doubts about the easy equation of economic growth & social progress in the 1960s led to renewed interest in social measurement & to the birth of the 'social indicators movement.' Social Indicators, 1976, (US Office of Management & Budget), a product of that interest, can be read as both a report on social conditions & trends in the US & as a progress report on social indicators research. The volume is best understood against the background of the social indicators movement & of the research it has stimulated. Several research traditions are joined together in the social indicators movement, but they share a concern for measurement, analysis, & the reporting to a general audience of aspects of social conditions. The tradition best reflected in Social Indicators, 1976 stresses monitoring, & reporting social change. Research in this tradition emphasizes conceptual & methodological development of measures, improvements in available data bases, development of social indicator models, & social reporting. In its data selection, treatment of data, organization, & commentary, Social Indicators, 1976, is an improvement over Social Indicators, 1973, though its analysis is notably insufficient. Most of the improvements which should be found in future editions depend upon continued progress in the development of social indicators. 3 Tables, 3 Charts. Modified HA.
Social measurements are differentiated from social indicators by their ultimate objectives, even though both are interdependent in social evaluation & explanation. While social measurement tries to obtain reliable quantitative data on social phenomena for a variety of interests & purposes, social indicators present evidence more closely related to problems of human well-being. Three problem areas in developing social indicators are identified: (1) technical problems related to social measurement; (2) sociopolitical problems, eg, ideological biases in problem definition, data presentation, & interpretation; & (3) communication problems that impede the effective presentation of information to policymakers & the general public. Modified HA.
