LAW5 677 - Social Welfare Law

This course will examine the legal and policy issues surrounding the redistribution of money and other goods to achieve social welfare goals. We will start by considering the theoretical underpinnings and practical goals of redistribution, as well as some of the central dilemmas associated with such efforts. After surveying the purpose and scope of the modern “welfare state” (which includes not only welfare checks and food stamps, but also programs like Social Security and Medicare), we will explore the rhetoric and reality of welfare reform, legal approaches to poverty and dependency, and some of the constitutional issues surrounding government benefits (including benefits that come with various “strings” attached). We will also examine the law’s role with respect to family choices made by the poor, and the ways in which the law structures access to resources such as education, housing, and health care. The design features of existing and proposed policy instruments will be evaluated from a variety of perspectives.

Credits: 3