Regulating

Regulating the Poor: The Functions of Public Welfare
$16.95
This book by Frances Fox Piven and Richard Cloward came out over three decades ago. And it is still powerful reading and powerful analysis. I would not expect everyone to agree with the authors' contentions, but once having read this book, you will be challenged in your understanding of welfare policy. Indeed, both many liberals and many conservatives alike are apt to be irritated by this book.

In short, the key point the authors make is that welfare policies are designed to pacify rebellious out of work people. Once they are pacified, welfare is reduced. And while welfare programs are operating, there will be a tendency to make benefits low so that recipients are impelled back into the work force, even for low wages. The authors put it this way (page xiii): "Historical evidence suggests that relief arrangements are initiated or expanded during the occasional outbreaks of civil disorder produced by mass unemployment, and are then abolished or contracted when political stability is restored. We shall argue that expansive relief policies are designed to mute civil disorder, and restrictive ones to reinforce work norms."

The book itself spends a great deal of time on two American case studies: the New Deal and the Great Society. Again, they argue that in neither case was government very generous, that in both instances programs were designed to push people into the job market and reinforce work norms.

The authors use an early historical example to set the stage for their analysis, by going back to England of the 16th century and thereafter. They contend that the early examples of welfare as a force to quiet rebellious masses and discipline them toward norms supportive of work. And this sometimes meant government money. Piven and Cloward note that between 1760 and 1784, taxes for relief of the poor rose by 60%. The rationale? People were getting uprooted from life on the land, as farmers, and pressed to enter the industrial labor force. And relief provided the tool to move people from one economic realm to another--and to keep them from open rebellion. John Stuart Mill himself is quoted as to the design of such acts to keep the poor from rebellion.

But the bulk of the work is on "regulating the poor" in the United States. Here, the authors go into considerable detail on programs such as Social Security, which, they argue, was quite modest, would take time to implement, but which yet served to quiet the possibly disenchanted multitudes during the dark days of the Great Depression.

This work is still reputed today. I have seen little in the way of attempts to actually test the authors' argument statistically (although maybe I've missed something). I'd surely like to see what the evidence says. A couple case studies are interesting and suggestive, but I need more evidence to be fully convinced. Nonetheless, this is a though provoking work and one that helps one think about welfare programs in a different way, whether or not the reader is in accord with the authors.

Easy Heat SRST Splice Kit (2 Set) Self-reg Heat Cable Comm
$105.85
Electric Freeze SR TRACE Self-Regulating Protection Cable Type: Easy Heat Self Regulating Protection Cables (Splice Kit)

Rene Furterer Curbicia Regulating Shampoo for Scalp Prone to Oiliness (5.07 oz)
$23.00
Curbicia Regulating Shampoo for Scalp Prone to Oiliness ,high shampooing frequency means that your scalp is frequently oily and your hair looks dull and flat. Pleasantly scented with deep-cleansing essential oils, this shampoo made with a high concentration of Curbicia extract eliminates excess sebum from the scalp. For long term benefits and less frequent shampooing, we recommend that you combine this shampoo with CURBICIA Purifying argilla mask. Your hair will regain natural lightness and volume. (5.07 oz)

PHYTO Phytocedrat Sebo-regulating Shampoo, Oily Scalp 6.7 fl oz (200 ml)
$24.00
For Oily Scalp with essential oil of Lemon
Because an oily scalp is highly reactive, shampooing plays a vital role in restoring a normal condition. PHYTOCEDRAT is formulated with a mild plant-derived washing base that helps prevent the rebound effect (a reaction that occurs a few hours after shampooing).
The recognized astringent properties of its plant-derived ingredients (Geranium and Lemon essential oil), combined with a derivative of abietic acid, gently cleanse the scalp while removing dirt and excess sebum. From the very first application, the hair feels light and the scalp is healthy-looking. Eventually, your hair will not need to be washed as often.
Oily Scalp - When functioning normally, the sebaceous glands of the scalp lubricate hair with sebum. However, excessive sebum can make the hair weighed down and difficult to manage, a phenomenon that can worsen if the right shampoo is not used. The best prevention is to use a shampoo that is specially formulate to restore the balance of natural secretion of the scalp.
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