The Great Recession Strains the American Social Contract * By * Lauren Damme, * New America Foundation

http://growth.newamerica.net/publications/policy/the_great_recession_strains_the_american_social_contract

September 21, 2010 |

• New America Foundation

 

*Valuable research assistance for this series provided by Benjamin Kolansky.
The Great Recession has exposed numerous flaws in our social contract – weaknesses that existed prior to the economic downturn – highlighting the need for changes in our system. This series of policy briefs explores the stresses on our social contract, and the policy changes that must be made to mend it. The six-part series includes:
• Overview: The Great Recession exposes flaws in the American Social Contract
• Social and economic security support mechanisms: too closely tied to employment? (Available September 28, 2010)
• America’s weak unemployment insurance safety net. (Available October 5, 2010)
• Problems with a state-based social welfare system. (Available October 12, 2010)
• The regressive delivery of social welfare benefits in the U.S. (Available October 19, 2010)
• The ownership society is vulnerable during downturns: Pensions and home ownership.  (Available October 25, 2010)