Improving Poor People

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Exploring the roots of urban poverty, this work delves into how historical attitudes shaped contemporary welfare and education systems. Michael Katz critiques the misguided belief that poverty stems from personal failings, highlighting the structural causes often overlooked by reformers. Drawing on his experiences, he examines four key topics: the welfare state, the "underclass" debate, urban school reform, and survival strategies of the poor. Each chapter connects historical social policies from the poorhouse era to modern reforms, illustrating the lasting impact of these ideologies.