Losing ground

American social policy, 1950-1980

Book • 1984

Author

Charles Murray

In 'Losing Ground,' Charles A. Murray argues that the ambitious social programs of the 1960s and 1970s, intended to alleviate poverty, actually made matters worse for their supposed beneficiaries.

Murray contends that increased government spending on welfare led to higher unemployment, declining education quality, increased crime, and the breakdown of families.

He suggests that these programs created incentives for behaviors that were destructive in the long term and advocates for the abolition of certain welfare programs and a return to more traditional social policies.

Mentioned by

Mentioned in 5 episodes

Mentioned by

Coleman Hughes

as a provocative book that needs more mainstream discussion.

352 snips

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Mentioned by

Michael Shermer

as the book that first brought

Charles Murray

to national attention.

33 snips

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Mentioned by

Tom Woods

when referencing Charles Murray's work about the way the welfare state erodes habits, behaviors and ideas that we want to encourage in people.

21 snips

Ep. 2699 Seven Bad Arguments for the State

Mentioned as a primer on the influence of conservative nonprofits and for blaming government programs for creating a culture of dependence among the poor.