Volume 7, Number 1 - Social Welfare - Spring 2003

Table of Contents 

Message from the Editor

I am pleased to present the ninth issue of the Chicago Policy Review, the student-published journal of the Irving B. Harris School of Public Policy Studies at the University of Chicago. Each year the Chicago Policy Review strives to analyze current policy issues through the perspectives of academics, policy professionals, and students of public policy. This balance presents us with an invaluable insight into the policy arena and provides a unique forum for debate across sectors. I hope that you find the ideas presented in this volume both engaging and insightful.

In our seven years of publication we have explored a wide variety of topics. This issue continues that tradition as it examines one of the most contested areas of policy over the past decade: Social Welfare. Social Welfare encompasses an array of issues from welfare reform to labor issues to community structure. Amber Casolari analyzes the impact of cash assistance compared to in-kind assistance in United States welfare programs. Rodrigo Garc'a-Verdo and Glenn Bowen provide us with an international perspective as they review poverty alleviation programs in Mexico and Jamaica, respectively. Mark Joseph evaluates the effect of criminal backgrounds on earnings. Vicki Lens looks at the role of welfare reform experts in the public arena. Cynthia Bansak and Catalina Amuendo-Dorantes consider the relationship between welfare reform and contingent work. Chloe Hutchinson examines economic school integration policies. Finally, Kim Palmer concludes this issue with a book review of Urban Sprawl: Causes, Consequences and Policy Responses edited by Gregory Squires.

We would like to thank the faculty and administration of the Harris School for their continued support of the Chicago Policy Review. The schoolÕs contribution of both time and resources has enabled the Chicago Policy Review to grow tremendously since its inception, increasing its staff, submissions and subscribers each year. We are grateful for the enthusiasm and dedication of Dean Susan Mayer, Madhu Anand, Mirela Munteanu, Nancy OÕConnor and Edonna Brazzle; without their help the production of this journal would not be possible.

In particular, we would like to recognize Professor Don Coursey for his continued role as the faculty advisor for the Chicago Policy Review. Professor Coursey was instrumental in the creation of the Review seven years ago and remains an important part of the publication today.

The Chicago Policy Review is proud to be a peer-reviewed journal. We are thankful for the editorial assistance of the many individuals who contributed to the peer-review process. This process enables the journal to maintain high standards as we strive to achieve our mission of promoting a rigorous public policy decision-making environment.

Finally, I was fortunate to work closely with a diligent and resourceful staff. I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation for the creativity, professionalism and hard work that was dedicated to this publication. As the policy arena continues to expand, I am confident that the Chicago Policy Review will play a prominent role in identifying and analyzing key issues in the public sector.

Jennifer L. Barney
Editor-in-Chief

Table of Contents

An Examination of Targeted Welfare Programs in the United States: Why In-Kind Assistance is Not Superior to Cash Assistance
Amber R. Casolari

Conditional Income Support Programs: The Case of MexicoÕs Oportunidades
Rodrigo Garc'a-Verdo

Social Funds as a Strategy for Poverty Reduction Ð With Special Reference to Jamaica
Glenn A. Bowen

The Effect of Arrests on the Earnings of Young Men: Evidence from the National Youth Survey
Mark Joseph

Examining the Role of Experts in Policy Debates: An Analysis of Expert Opinion on Welfare Reform in The New York Times
Vicki Lens

The Role of Contingent Work in the War Against Policy
Cynthia Bansak and Catalina Amuedo-Dorantes

Promising Alternative or Dangerous Experiment? Framing the Debate over Economic School Integration Policies
Chloe R. Hutchinson

Exploring Education Innovation that Last: An Annotated First Person Narrative Turning Practice into Theory (Reprint)
James S. Catterall

Book Reviews

Urban Sprawl: Causes, Consequences and Policy Responses
Editor: Gregory Squires
The Urban Institute Press (2002)
Kimberly Shearer Palmer

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