Neo-Liberal Poverty Governance: Race, Place and the Punitive Turn in Us Welfare Policy

Posted: 17 Mar 2009

See all articles by Sanford F. Schram

Sanford F. Schram

Bryn Mawr College - Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research

Richard Fording

University of Kentucky - Department of Political Science

Joe Soss

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities - Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs

Date Written: April 2008

Abstract

This article provides empirical evidence on the operation and effects of the neo-liberal system of poverty governance emerging in the United States. Relying on data collected on Florida, a state recognized for innovation in implementing welfare reform, we present findings that demonstrate systematic inequities in the way sanctions are applied to clients who fail to comply with participation requirements in Florida's welfare-to-work programme. Our findings underscore how the enduring influence of race, place and their interaction are critical to the emerging neo-liberal system of poverty governance.

Keywords: governance, welfare, race, regions, neoliberal-paternalism

JEL Classification: H11, I3, I38

Suggested Citation

Schram, Sanford F. and Fording, Richard and Soss, Joe, Neo-Liberal Poverty Governance: Race, Place and the Punitive Turn in Us Welfare Policy (April 2008). Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, Vol. 1, Issue 1, pp. 17-36, 2008, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1361404 or http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/cjres/rsm001

Sanford F. Schram (Contact Author)

Bryn Mawr College - Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research ( email )

Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
United States

Richard Fording

University of Kentucky - Department of Political Science ( email )

Lexington, KY 40546
United States

Joe Soss

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities - Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs ( email )

301 19th Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55455
United States

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