Question 1

Identify and discuss structural and political factors that help explain why the American welfare state is the way it is.

Accepted Answer

The American welfare state is shaped by a combination of structural and political factors.

Structural factors include the historical development of the American welfare state, which has been influenced by the country's federal system of government. This has led to a patchwork of social welfare programs that vary from state to state, making it difficult to create a comprehensive national welfare system. Additionally, the American welfare state has been shaped by the country's capitalist economic system, which places a strong emphasis on individual responsibility and limited government intervention. This has led to a more limited and targeted welfare system compared to other developed countries.

Political factors also play a significant role in shaping the American welfare state. The country's political culture, which values limited government and individualism, has led to resistance to expansive welfare programs. This has resulted in a welfare state that is more focused on means-tested programs and work requirements, rather than universal benefits. Additionally, the influence of interest groups and political parties has also shaped the American welfare state, with conservative groups and politicians often advocating for smaller government and less welfare spending, while liberal groups and politicians push for more expansive social welfare programs.

Overall, the American welfare state is the way it is due to a combination of structural factors such as the federal system and capitalist economy, as well as political factors including the country's political culture and the influence of interest groups and political parties. These factors have led to a more limited and targeted welfare state compared to other developed countries.

Question 2

Most experts believe that food stamps have greatly reduced the level of ________ in the U.S.

Accepted Answer

malnutrition

Question 3

In social insurance programs, such as

Accepted Answer

A)  TANF and Food Stamps, people who qualify based on income are given cash payments. 
B)  Medicaid, the government grants loans to poor families to pay for unexpected costs. 
C)  job training and housing assistance, private corporations, at the request of the federal government, perform public services. 
D)  Social Security, people contribute to a national trust fund and receive benefits based on contributions. 
E)  AFDC, people are required to work for benefit payments. 
A)  TANF and Food Stamps, people who qualify based on income are given cash payments. 
B)  Medicaid, the government grants loans to poor families to pay for unexpected costs. 
C)  job training and housing assistance, private corporations, at the request of the federal government, perform public services. 
D)  Social Security, people contribute to a national trust fund and receive benefits based on contributions. 
E)  AFDC, people are required to work for benefit payments. D

Question 4

Which part of American culture is especially important when considering what works against a generous and comprehensive social welfare system?

Accepted Answer

A)  The belief in competitive individualism. 
B)  The belief in equal opportunity. 
C)  The belief in liberty. 
D)  The belief in freedom. 
E)  The belief in democracy. 
A)  The belief in competitive individualism. 
B)  The belief in equal opportunity. 
C)  The belief in liberty. 
D)  The belief in freedom. 
E)  The belief in democracy.

Question 5

According to the actuary of the Social Security trust fund, the fund

Accepted Answer

A)  will not move into the red until 2041. 
B)  will be out of money in 2041. 
C)  will be bankrupt by 2012. 
D)  will continue to grow, due to the number of contributing baby boomers. 
E)  is declining daily. 
A)  will not move into the red until 2041. 
B)  will be out of money in 2041. 
C)  will be bankrupt by 2012. 
D)  will continue to grow, due to the number of contributing baby boomers. 
E)  is declining daily.

Question 6

Which of the following is important to determine the size and cost of government programs?

Accepted Answer

A)  The number of people living in poverty. 
B)  The number of people paying general revenue taxes. 
C)  The number of people receiving unemployment compensation. 
D)  The number of people paying into the social security taxes. 
E)  The percentage of those over 60 who receive social security checks. 
A)  The number of people living in poverty. 
B)  The number of people paying general revenue taxes. 
C)  The number of people receiving unemployment compensation. 
D)  The number of people paying into the social security taxes. 
E)  The percentage of those over 60 who receive social security checks.

Question 7

Although the details of their programs differ, all rich democracies provide social welfare benefits for their citizens.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

Public assistance or welfare programs

Accepted Answer

A)  are funded and administered exclusively by the federal government. 
B)  receive a larger share of the federal budget than any other program except defense. 
C)  are funded by a special payroll tax on employees and employers. 
D)  account for only a small part of the annual federal budget. 
E)  None of the above 
A)  are funded and administered exclusively by the federal government. 
B)  receive a larger share of the federal budget than any other program except defense. 
C)  are funded by a special payroll tax on employees and employers. 
D)  account for only a small part of the annual federal budget. 
E)  None of the above

Question 9

Individuals who contribute to an insurance trust fund through payroll taxes are contributing to

Accepted Answer

A)  social insurance programs. 
B)  government retirement programs. 
C)  welfare assistance programs. 
D)  government health care. 
E)  None of the above 
A)  social insurance programs. 
B)  government retirement programs. 
C)  welfare assistance programs. 
D)  government health care. 
E)  None of the above

Question 10

Unemployment insurance is part of which program?

Accepted Answer

A)  Social security 
B)  Medicare 
C)  Public assistance 
D)  Entitlement 
E)  Cost of living adjustments 
A)  Social security 
B)  Medicare 
C)  Public assistance 
D)  Entitlement 
E)  Cost of living adjustments

Question 11

Retirement income support for the elderly accounts for about one-third of Social Security expenditures.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Describe the battle between various groups over Social Security in early 2005

Accepted Answer

President George W. Bush favored institu

Question 13

Does high spending in the United States translate into widespread public support for the U.S. health care system?

Accepted Answer

No. More people in the United

Question 14

Universal health care is missing from the American welfare system.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Which program is designed to assist poor Americans with medical costs, but covers only about 40 percent of the officially designated poor?

Accepted Answer

A)  National Health Insurance 
B)  Medicare 
C)  Medicaid 
D)  Social Security 
E)  TANF 
A)  National Health Insurance 
B)  Medicare 
C)  Medicaid 
D)  Social Security 
E)  TANF

Question 16

With Medicare, the federal government provides matching funds to states to provide medical assistance for their indigent citizens.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

The basic distinction between social insurance programs and means-tested programs is that the former involve benefits from general revenues for people who qualify based on low income, and the latter involve payments to and from a trust fund.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

A primary concern about the future of social security is

Accepted Answer

A)  that benefits will not be able to keep up with rising inflation rates. 
B)  that social security benefits will be the first to be cut in an economic recession. 
C)  that benefits will run out before many Americans can collect benefits. 
D)  that social security surpluses will be used to pay down budget deficits. 
E)  that it will become a private, underfunded program. 
A)  that benefits will not be able to keep up with rising inflation rates. 
B)  that social security benefits will be the first to be cut in an economic recession. 
C)  that benefits will run out before many Americans can collect benefits. 
D)  that social security surpluses will be used to pay down budget deficits. 
E)  that it will become a private, underfunded program.

Question 19

Identify the problems with Medicare costs. What are some solutions to the problem? Which of these do you think is most promising? Is it likely that Medicare will continue to be viable?

Accepted Answer

The problems with Medicare costs include

Question 20

First identify components of social insurance programs and then discuss the nature of each program.

Accepted Answer

Social insurance programs typically cons

Identify and discuss structural and political factors that help explain why the American welfare state is the way it is.

Most experts believe that food stamps have greatly reduced the level of ________ in the U.S.

In social insurance programs, such as

Which part of American culture is especially important when considering what works against a generous and comprehensive social welfare system?

According to the actuary of the Social Security trust fund, the fund

Which of the following is important to determine the size and cost of government programs?

Although the details of their programs differ, all rich democracies provide social welfare benefits for their citizens.

Public assistance or welfare programs

Individuals who contribute to an insurance trust fund through payroll taxes are contributing to

Unemployment insurance is part of which program?

Retirement income support for the elderly accounts for about one-third of Social Security expenditures.

Describe the battle between various groups over Social Security in early 2005

Does high spending in the United States translate into widespread public support for the U.S. health care system?

Universal health care is missing from the American welfare system.

Which program is designed to assist poor Americans with medical costs, but covers only about 40 percent of the officially designated poor?

With Medicare, the federal government provides matching funds to states to provide medical assistance for their indigent citizens.

The basic distinction between social insurance programs and means-tested programs is that the former involve benefits from general revenues for people who qualify based on low income, and the latter involve payments to and from a trust fund.

A primary concern about the future of social security is

Identify the problems with Medicare costs. What are some solutions to the problem? Which of these do you think is most promising? Is it likely that Medicare will continue to be viable?

First identify components of social insurance programs and then discuss the nature of each program.

Democracy and American Politics

The Constitution

Federalism States and Nations

Structural Foundations of the American Government

Public Opinion

News Media

Interest Groups and Business Corporations

Social Movements

Political Parties

Participation Voting, and Elections

Congress

The President

The Executive Branch

The Courts

Freedom: the Struggle for Civil Liberties

Civil Rights: the Struggle for Political Equality

The Budget and Economic Policies

Foreign Policy and National Defense

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Exam 18: Social Safety Nets

Identify and discuss structural and political factors that help explain why the American welfare state is the way it is.

Most experts believe that food stamps have greatly reduced the level of ________ in the U.S.

In social insurance programs, such as

Which part of American culture is especially important when considering what works against a generous and comprehensive social welfare system?

According to the actuary of the Social Security trust fund, the fund

Which of the following is important to determine the size and cost of government programs?

Although the details of their programs differ, all rich democracies provide social welfare benefits for their citizens.

Public assistance or welfare programs

Individuals who contribute to an insurance trust fund through payroll taxes are contributing to

Unemployment insurance is part of which program?

Retirement income support for the elderly accounts for about one-third of Social Security expenditures.

Describe the battle between various groups over Social Security in early 2005

Does high spending in the United States translate into widespread public support for the U.S. health care system?

Universal health care is missing from the American welfare system.

Which program is designed to assist poor Americans with medical costs, but covers only about 40 percent of the officially designated poor?

With Medicare, the federal government provides matching funds to states to provide medical assistance for their indigent citizens.

The basic distinction between social insurance programs and means-tested programs is that the former involve benefits from general revenues for people who qualify based on low income, and the latter involve payments to and from a trust fund.

A primary concern about the future of social security is

Identify the problems with Medicare costs. What are some solutions to the problem? Which of these do you think is most promising? Is it likely that Medicare will continue to be viable?

First identify components of social insurance programs and then discuss the nature of each program.

Democracy and American Politics

The Constitution

Federalism States and Nations

Structural Foundations of the American Government

Public Opinion

News Media

Interest Groups and Business Corporations

Social Movements

Political Parties

Participation Voting, and Elections

Congress

The President

The Executive Branch

The Courts

Freedom: the Struggle for Civil Liberties

Civil Rights: the Struggle for Political Equality

The Budget and Economic Policies

Foreign Policy and National Defense

Filters