| "That's Not What We Meant to Do": Reform and Its Unintended Consequences in Twentieth-Century America (Revised) Revised Edition Contributor(s): Gillon, Steven M. (Author) |
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ISBN: 0393978664 ISBN-13: 9780393978667 Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company OUR PRICE: $24.65 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: December 2001 |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - History | United States - 20th Century - Political Science | American Government - General - Political Science | Public Policy - Social Services & Welfare |
| Dewey: 361.610 |
| Physical Information: 0.65" H x 5.5" W x 8.25" (0.79 lbs) 290 pages |
| Themes: - Chronological Period - 20th Century |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: You might think these were sweeping legal reforms that greatly improved American society. Or perhaps you view them as stopgap measures intended to right some grave social injustice. What all these instances of reform share, however, whether sponsored by Democrats or Republicans, is wildly unforeseen consequences--occasionally positive, often regrettable. With a shrewd eye for historical absurdity, Steven M. Gillon takes us on a tour of this century's reforms and legal innovation -- federal welfare policy, community mental health, immigration, and campaign finance reform, to name an additional few--and describes the unintended consequences of their enactment. The result is a brisk, instructive, and disturbing study that will be required reading for all students of government and society, and for anyone who wishes to avoid the perils that stalk any legislative body. |