Foundations of Social Welfare

Foundations of Social Welfare

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Foundations of Social Welfare

Question 1

1. Critiques on Reagan’s Romantic View of the 19th Century

            During the 19th century, America experienced high levels of inflation and unemployment (Jansson, 2019). There were high-interest rates and excessive government regulations. Many Americans wanted social change, and this is what President Ronald Reagan promised to bring when he got elected. He appealed to Americans who were not happy about America's loss of power and influence on the world stage. He promised he could help stop the principles of conservatism and reconstruct the social and economic changes present in the last generations.

1. The Federal Government involvement in Social Policy

            The president during his reign had a strong view on urging his citizens that the Government was not the solution to their problem. Domestic policies were advanced in his term that lessened the responsibility of the federal government in solving social problems, reducing restrictions on business, and implementing tax cuts. The federal government was spending a lot, and in turn, Americans were forced to pay higher taxes (Jansson, 2019). The Reagan government, in response to these reduced welfare programs they believed to be the cause of excessive federal spending that was leading to double-digit inflation and creating a dependency on the federal government.

1. Reagan’s view of the 19th Century

            Reagan had a strong view of traditional virtues of hard work, perseverance, and taking risks. He knew many Americans were going through hard times and believed that assistance from loved ones and friends together with private philanthropy would be the remedy to those problems (Gotsch-Thomson, 2019). He believed that if African Americans, Native Americans, and Latinos tried, they could achieve the same level of success and wealth as white Americans. He argued that the economy works best when the government has no role in its regulation and citizens were not taxed beyond the minimal amount needed to fund defence activities and keep the police force. The 19th century was the golden era, according to Reagan, when localism, individualism, taking risks, and free businesses dominated the nation (Jansson, 2019).

            Reagan was very strong about his views, and his philosophy can be criticized on many counts. The highly idolized belief of self-made Americans overlooked the oppression of people of colour and women during the 19th century and beyond. During his term as both Governor and President, women were only appointed to domestic functions, and none were appointed to policy positions (Bashevkin, 2002). He exaggerated Roosevelt's New Deal, which only gave a basic set of sustenance benefits to jobless individuals during the Great Depression. He was opposed to social welfare programs that aided the poor because he saw economic disparity as a motivator for the poor to improve their circumstances. Many critics of President Reagan argued that the social welfare program was unfair to the nation’s poor. They claimed that on his objective to rebuild the economy, the poor are the ones who suffered since it was built on the backs of the poor (Jansson, 2019). This is because federal programs that were meant to help individuals with low-income and families have been cut to finance a large defence program that is unnecessary.

            In conclusion, President Reagan’s term was marked with mixed controversy but also brought about a great need for social change and growth. He strongly encouraged Americans not to depend on the government but to work hard to improve their standard of living. Though this was a good philosophy, some criticized him since he did not account for the oppression of people of colour and women.

Question 2

1. Analysis of Bill Clinton’s Presidency

            As the 42nd president of the United States of America, Bill Clinton’s tenure can both be looked at as having dramatic highs and lows. However, his administration made reforms to the government that made an important pivot point in today’s America. From his inauguration in 1993, he eliminated the federal deficit, and the country saw sustained economic growth (Jansson, 2019). His first executive decision was to abolish restrictions on medical research and the right to choose. He lifted the federal ban on funding research utilizing fetal tissue to aid researchers in developing new cures for diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, diabetes, and leukaemia. He also removed the Gag Rule, which prevented abortion counselling at facilities receiving government subsidies to provide care to low-income patients, which was repealed (Riley, 2021). During his tenure, the Clinton-Gore Deficit Administrations' economic plan, which was passed without a single republican vote, slashed the Country's deficit by half while still making important economic investments in technology and healthcare. His work in implementing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) established the world's largest free-trade zone. Since its implementation, exports to Canada and Mexico now support an additional 600,000 employment while US manufacturing has added 400,000 jobs since NAFTA was passed (Riley, 2021).

1. Legislative Enactments of Bill Clinton

            Bill Clinton also established the initiative for One America. He appointed a race advisory board aimed at narrowing America's racial divide. The board held hundreds of meetings to submit policy proposals like increased early childhood education and increased civil rights enforcement guiding efforts to closing the racial gaps. These works created the One America Office in the White House aimed at, through a national conversation on race, educating about race and efforts toward racial harmony and expanding opportunities for people of colour. He also expanded law enforcement and signed the crime bill. The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, which included measures authorizing the hiring of 100,000 additional police officers and increasing the number of federal offences to more than 50, resulted in an eight-year decline in total crime as well as greater prevention of victim rights (Riley, 2021). During his tenure, the President signed the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act into law. He emphasized additional antiterrorism measures and actions like granting the Federal government broad jurisdiction to prosecute terrorist activities, prohibiting terrorists from entering the United States in the first place, increasing the penalties for several terrorist offences, and tightening rules on chemical and biological weapons.

1. The Success of Bill Clinton

            Clinton’s healthcare practices necessitated the protection of mothers and their newborns. Health plans are mandated by law to accommodate new mothers for at least 48 hours following the majority of regular deliveries and 96 hours following a Cesarean section, which legislators permitted. Also, many Americans can now take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for a newborn or very ill family member, according to Clinton’s first piece of legislation, the Family and Medical Leave Act (Riley, 2021). He put health-care reform legislation into law, hoping it would increase public access to health insurance. Furthermore, signed legislation prohibiting health plans from imposing separate lifetime and annual limits on mental health coverage, thereby eliminating discrimination against people with mental illnesses.

            Clinton also launched the youth anti-drug media campaign. The drug control strategy efforts were aimed at reducing drug use and increasing border patrol cutting illegal drugs inflow from the Southwest border. In addition, the re-administration of the 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act ended a period of lower expectations for impoverished children, mandating all students to meet the same high academic standards (Jansson, 2019). Lastly, his administration created the direct student loan reauthorized program, which eliminated bureaucracy and subsidies in administrative costs saving taxpayers over $4 billion since 1993 (Riley, 2021). Clinton was a superb president. However, one of his greatest obstacles to historical importance may be this notion of "what might have been." Regardless, Clinton’s tenure was a success.

Question 3

1. America’s Obligation Towards Developing Countries

            Poverty and wealth are closely linked together. These two variables are interrelated because they affect each other and can ensure states have a global system. Most people in developing countries in today's society are still struggling for their basic rights such as good education, job opportunities, and better healthcare (Janson, 2019). Though the government of the developing countries is struggling to improve the standard of living of their people, developed countries should contribute more in helping reduce such obstacles. Most countries, such as the United States, have an ethical obligation to help poorer nations. This is due to the agreement of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

1. Ethical Obligations of the United States

            Those who have the ability and power to solve problems like poverty should try to solve them. (Dobers & Minna, 2009). The logic flows that developing countries should not only help because they can but because they are also involved in creating conditions for such poor conditions in developing countries.

            The United States government can take many steps to help reduce poverty and disease in developing countries. To begin with, they could assist in tackling diseases in developing countries. (Jansson, 2019) Skilled doctors could be sent to help teach medical staff. To help in undeveloped areas in the country, they can set up free medical camps. In this way, free medical advice might be supplied. Health-awareness initiatives can also be launched during such camps to raise public awareness about the consequences of an unhealthy lifestyle. In addition, specialists from rich countries may be able to assist developing countries with vaccination programs. As a consequence, neonatal mortality will be reduced.

            Secondly, they should aid in providing education to developing countries. Developed nations may be able to help establish new schools and learning institutions by providing funds. These will lead to an increase in the level of education. They should also provide scholarships to students from low-income nations so that they can attend prestigious colleges. Poor individuals will be encouraged to pursue higher education as a result of this. Knowledge is power, and by helping developing countries gain the knowledge, they will also be able to come up with new ways to improve their living standards (Kopnina, 2016). Through education, new and innovative ideas on reducing poverty in the country will be developed, and this will only be possible if the United States assists these nations.

1. The Consequences United States could encounter if they gave no Resources

            Finally, the United States should help these countries in improving their economy. This may be obtained by encouraging free commerce. This will assist in bringing developing nations out of poverty by lowering trade barriers such as tariffs, restrictions on imports, and fees charged for exporting. The United States has a moral obligation to help developing countries, and failure to which the state's sovereignty will be challenged if it respects or maintains these rights. This means that the United States should not only maintain its rights but also meet its responsibilities. In conclusion, developed nations have an ethical obligation to assist developing countries in reducing issues they face, such as poverty and disease (Dobers & Minna, 2009). Their many different methods that developed countries could adopt to help tackle such issues. Methods such as bringing in skilled health workers to teach medical personnel, establishing new schools to improve learning conditions, and also improving the economy by encouraging free trade.

Question 4

1. Barrack Obama’s Presidency

            Barack Obama’s presidency can be viewed as both good and bad according to what he did and didn’t achieve. He was already a historical figure in American history prior to his inauguration as the first African-American president of the United States. He was inaugurated into office by a country in distress. Obama stepped amid the ruins left by the worst recession the country has experienced since the 1930s (Wallenfeldt, 2004). He faced challenges like the economic crisis of the great recession where the GDP contracted by more than 8% in the first three months of the year, unemployment rates were through the roof, doubling from 5% to10% causing 8 million jobs to be lost, the federal budget deficit (Nelson, 2021), housing problems claiming nearly $15 million as the average cost of a home has decreased by 30%, and poor healthcare (Nelson, 2021). Barack Obama used every instrument available to him throughout his eight years in office to effect significant change, including legislation, laws, executive orders, and the bully pulpit. He guided it through the Great Recession, two wars, civic upheaval, a wave of horrible shootings, and the country's changing racial and demographic trends.

1. The Success of Barack Obama

            Amidst all these challenges, Obama's new government promptly implemented a stimulus package worth an estimated $880 billion (Nelson, 2021). Tax relief, unemployment aid, and other programs that put money directly into Americans' pockets were utilized to assure that the money was spent or invested as the government intended. President-elect Obama took advantage of this opportunity to inject billions of dollars into areas where smaller sums would be difficult to obtain. The stimulus plan includes substantial expenditures in renewable energy, including a modern power infrastructure, computerization of medical data, high-speed trains, and new bridges and highways. To that goal, Obama has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in fundamental scientific research, ostensibly to bolster America's innovation boom (Onwumechili, 2016). Other accomplishments include ordering Osama Bin Laden's arrest and assassination and taking care of approximately 20 million uninsured Americans. In addition, he commuted nearly 1200 offenders' sentences to eliminate "unjust and outdated prison sentences" and signed the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which allows up to 5 million people living in the United States illegally to avoid deportation and obtain work permits (Wallenfeldt, 2004). To make matters even better, Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Salary Act, which prohibits wage discrimination against women, made it a federal crime to abuse someone solely based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, and provided veterans with $78 billion in tuition help under the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Janson, 2019).

1. Obstacles Barack Obama Faced

            Despite achieving all these and much more, some people view his tenure as a disappointment. Obama entered the Oval Office with the knowledge that he would face unique challenges and responsibilities. Some demonized him for his ethnic origins, while others were put off by his followers' near-messianic aspirations and apparent snobbery. His Obamacare and the fact that he also hired officials from Clinton’s administration who were responsible for fraud and money embezzlement stirred republicans to reclaim control of both chambers of Congress less than two years after capturing power (Nelson, 2021). Despite widespread misbehaviour, no senior employee of a major financial institution or bond rating agency has been convicted of a crime under Obama's Department of Justice, causing the Democratic Party to lose 1000 elected seats (Wallenfeldt, 2004). Moreover, under his watch, the Affordable Care Act, the Paris Climate Change Agreement, and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) have all been repealed or are in peril. His pledge to run his general election campaign entirely on public funds was abandoned after he secured the nomination the next year with grassroots support and small donations in favor of raising money from major donors. Donald Trump's elevation to the office of President-elect was the final blow.

Question 5

1. Trump’s Presidency

            Former President Donald Trump stunned the world when he became the first person elected president of the United States without any prior experience in government. His term in the White House has a lot of controversies but also shows that he was a President unlike any other in the nation's history. The United States has many people of different races and ethnicity, and thus makes it is difficult to discuss Donald Trump's performance as president. Donald Trump mainly focused on white Americans, often arguing that immigrants are the ones who took their jobs from them (Renshon, 2020). He promised that he would revisit the unfair trade treaties with other nations, promote the mining of fossil fuels and also implement a new program to repair American Infrastructure.

1. Areas of Agreement on Trump’s Administration

            Though there are certain accomplishments he accomplished throughout his presidency, Donald Trump's performance has received many conflicting reviews. By reorganizing the federal judiciary, he altered its structure. He appointed three Supreme Court justices and 226 federal judges in all. He also made significant changes in tax reforms such as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. This was the biggest reform in the nation's tax code for over three decades, and the president argued it would change the country's economy claim that corporate tax was reduced from 35% to 21%, and people together with their families received benefits (Renshon, 2020). Many businesses were satisfied with these changes and argued that it would make businesses invest in their operations, resulting in an increase in wages and a rise in worker productivity.

1. Areas of Disagreement with Trump’s Administration

            Donald Trump's term is also marked with a lot of negative feedback. He made restrictions on immigration and argued that most immigrants took jobs from American citizens. His term can be criticized for lacking ethical grounds on some of his policies. For example, he argued that Muslims posed terrorist dangers and that many Latin Americans are the ones who rape and murder Americans. Many criticized his view and argued that undocumented Latinos, whether from Central America or Mexico, committed far fewer crimes than American citizens. They defended this by arguing that most Americans work in jobs that most Americans avoid, such as cleaning houses or rooms in hotels, cleaning dishes in restaurants, working in farms, and working in the manufacturing industry (Jansson, 2019). They mostly work in jobs where there are few numbers of American citizens. His critics also argue that they increase the economic growth in the United States. His term can also be viewed as problematic where the global image of America drastically declined since he continuously insulted US allies while was warming up to dictators (Renshon, 2020). Many individuals worldwide showed a negative view of Trump and did not have confidence in his administration. His failure to effectively handle the coronavirus left America embarrassed to the whole world. This left room in global leadership, and many Superpower nations are rushing to fill it.

            In conclusion, Trump’s term was viewed as one of the worst, which in turn led him to be impeached twice, making him the first President to be impeached twice. Though he has some achievements during his term, many will remember him for his prejudice and unfairness towards immigrants.

Question 6

1. World Organizations and their Impacts on the World

            The world is an ever-changing and moving platform with advancements in comprehensive technology, science, health, economy, and culture. Looking back over the years from the stone-age period, populations have grown and industrialized to the modern age we are in. As humans look for ways to better their lives and those of coming generations, there has been a technological boom that has birthed the digital generation. However, it has also sparked wars, increased racial conflicts, created environmental exploitation, and the extinction of many animal species, just to name a few. Thus, organizations worldwide have come together, bringing the much-needed resources and technology that can help overcome and combat these issues (Janson, 2019).

1. Organization of Economic Corporation and Development

            One such international body is the Organization of Economic Corporation and Development (OECPD) which aims at creating better policies for better lives. With over 60years of experience, the organization fights several social, economic, and environmental issues that bring forth opportunities, equality, and prosperity (OECD Policy Responses to Coronavirus (COVID-19), 2021). OECPD Policy Responses to Coronavirus has a variety of databases, for instance, affordable housing database, family database, social expenditure indicators, and measuring well-being database, which is used to analyze the world's populations and brain solutions. For example, adopting effective social policy benefits individuals and their families by protecting and empowering them.

1. The United Nation

The UN also plays a vital role in fighting world issues. The world's social situation has had violent conflicts which impact the development of societies. The United States Census Bureau serves to provide quality data about its people and economy. It gives the best mix of timeless quality and relevant data on the economies. One of the areas it touches on is the demographical analysis of populations. High-quality studies of population and economic data are crucial for evidence-based decision-making at all phases of a country's advancement because they combine extraordinary access to global data with their team's experience (Janson, 2019). One ongoing project the Bureau has is analyzing reports on HIV/AIDS and population ageing. The HIV/AIDS Surveillance Data Base was designed to provide users with information about HIV/AIDS. It can be used as a reference guide and a source of information for HIV/AIDS policies, research, and assessment. The Division for Inclusive Social Development produces the Report on the World Social Situation (RWSS) to promote understanding the evolution of drivers of social progress. It also analyzes economic inequalities in communities, making it a valuable policy analyzing tool. According to (Valerio et al and Childless Older Americans, 2018), the UN uses extensive statistical data to examine and insights into the past worlds’ complex issues such as population growth, housing, ethnic conflicts, religious trends, education, and health.

The UN generates income from donations and well-wishers to run its operations. These aids go a long way in helping out communities around the world (UN, 2021). Some of its efforts include supporting relief efforts in South Asia countries hit by floods and landslides, improving responses to humanitarian crises after the Second World War by sending monitors to war-torn areas like Aleppo, issuing food relief to much needed Syria and refugee camps around the world, promoting Big Data projects which can save lives and fight hunger, and funding the fight against COVID-19 in the world. For example, in the recent sixty-sixth United Nations Department of Public Information/Non-Governmental Organizations Conference, the UN advocated for partnerships between governments and NGOs to foster education for global citizenship (Valerio et al and Childless Older Americans, 2018). In conclusion, these organizations make important because they help make the world a better place. Efforts need to be streamed towards helping vulnerable communities, especially with the ongoing pandemic, with the help of analytical statistics from these organizations. Everybody needs to join efforts to save and protect the world.

References

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Bashevkin, S. B. (2002). Welfare hot buttons: Women, work, and social policy reform. University of Toronto Press.

Dobers, P., & Halme, M. (2009). Corporate social responsibility and developing countries. Corporate social responsibility and environmental management, 16(5), 237-249.10

Jansson, Bruce S. The Reluctant Welfare State: Engaging History to Advance Social Work Practice in Contemporary Society. , 2019.

Kopnina, H. (2016). The victims of unsustainability: a challenge to sustainable development goals. International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology, 23(2), 113-121.

Nelson, Michael. (2021). "Barack Obama: Impact and Legacy | Miller Center." Miller Center. Retrieved from: https://millercenter.org/president/obama/impact-and-legacy

OECD Policy Responses to Coronavirus (COVID-19) (2021). The territorial impact of COVID-19: Managing the crisis and recovery across levels of government. Retrieved from: https://www.oecd.org/coronavirus/policy-responses/the-territorial-impact-of-covid-19-managing-the-crisis-and-recovery-across-levels-of-government-a2c6abaf/

Onwumechili, C. (2016). Introduction to the Special Issue on the Barack Hussein Obama Presidency. Taylor & Francis. Retrieved 1 November 2021, from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10646175.2016.1251273.

Riley, Russell. (2021). "Bill Clinton: Impact and Legacy | Miller Center." Miller Center. Retrieved from: https://millercenter.org/president/clinton/impact-and-legacy

UN. (2021). TCS Education System will host 'GlobeTalks' on global challenges and opportunities | United Nations. United Nations. Retrieved 1 November 2021, from https://www.un.org/en/academic-impact/tcs-education-system-will-host-globetalks-global-challenges-and-opportunities.

Valerio, T., Knop, B., Kreider, R. M., & He, W. Childless Older Americans: 2018. Retrieved from: https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2021/demo/p70-173.pdf

Wallenfeldt, J. (2004). Barack Obama | Biography, Presidency, Book, & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 1 November 2021, from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Barack-Obama.