Who Cares?

This insightful book reveals the ambivalence Americans feel towards social welfare, challenging the notion of unwavering support for the less fortunate. Who Cares? highlights the need for bold leadership.

In Who Cares?, authors Katherine Newman and Elisabeth Jacobs delve into the complex relationship Americans have with social welfare. The narrative challenges the prevailing notion that Americans are inherently compassionate, particularly during times of crisis such as the Great Depression and the Great Society. Through an analysis of opinion polls and correspondence with presidents, the authors reveal a more nuanced and often critical public attitude toward the poor and unemployed. This exploration uncovers a historical ambivalence that contradicts the collective memory of solidarity and support for the vulnerable.

The book highlights how public sentiment towards social programs has fluctuated over the decades. Notably, some policies that are now taken for granted faced significant opposition shortly after their implementation. The authors argue that even well-established welfare initiatives can be met with skepticism, as seen during the conservative backlash in the 1980s and 1990s. Leaders like Roosevelt, Johnson, Nixon, and Reagan often had to navigate a landscape of public resistance, yet their legacies were shaped by their willingness to lead despite opposition.

Ultimately, Who Cares? emphasizes the importance of presidential leadership in addressing social issues. It suggests that while Americans may express ambivalence towards the welfare state, they also have the capacity to support initiatives that benefit the less fortunate—provided these programs demonstrate their value over time. The book serves as a crucial reminder that effective governance requires courage and vision, especially in a climate of divided public opinion.