The first major work to examine welfare-to-work programs and their implications for public policy

Look Inside

Copyright © 2004, University of Michigan. All rights reserved.

Description

Putting Faith in Partnerships addresses a major conceptual change in American domestic policy, begun by Reagan and now fully realized by the Bush administration: the shift of responsibility for social services from the federal government to states and communities.

In this groundbreaking study of a politically controversial topic---the debut offering in Alan Wolfe's Contemporary Political and Social Issues series---author Stephen Monsma avoids overheated rhetoric in favor of a careful, critical analysis of the hard evidence on whether public-private partnerships really work.

The book is based on in-depth studies of social service programs in Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Dallas. By examining public-private partnerships between government offices and nonprofit organizations, Monsma seeks to understand how these partnerships affect the balance between government's efforts to deal with social problems and the rights of individual citizens to control their own lives.

Putting Faith in Partnerships answers many previously unanswered questions in what may be the most controversial public policy debate today: about the feasibility and wisdom of government agencies forming partnerships with private organizations to provide essential public social services.

Stephen V. Monsma is Professor of Political Science at Pepperdine University. He has served as director of the Office of Quality Review in Michigan's Department of Social Services and is a widely recognized expert on the role of faith-based organizations in social service programs.

Stephen V. Monsma was Professor of Political Science at Pepperdine University. He served as director of the Office of Quality Review in Michigan's Department of Social Services and was a widely recognized expert on the role of faith-based organizations in social service programs.

"I am sure that Putting Faith in Partnerships is the finest empirical study of its kind yet published and that, whatever one's specific policy preferences or general point of view, this book will enlighten, enliven, and elevate understanding."
-from the foreword, John J. DiIulio, Jr.

"Carefully researched and thoughtfully communicated, Putting Faith in Partnerships gives readers empirical answers to critical questions related to the provision of welfare-to-work programs in America. Monsma's latest book is a must-read for anyone interested in the role of faith-based organizations in addressing contemporary social problems in America."
-Byron Johnson, Baylor University

"It is impossible to do serious research on faith-based social service without admiring, making heavy use of, and benefiting from, the work of Stephen Monsma. This new book on welfare-to-work programs is further evidence of his trailblazing contribution to this now hot field of study and activity."
-Richard P. Nathan, Director, Rockefeller Institute of Government

Winner: American Library Association (ALA) Choice Outstanding Academic Title

- ALA Choice Outstanding Academic Title