The Welfare Experiments Politics and Policy Evaluation

"Robin Rogers-Dillon contributes and important new perspective on the ushering in of welfare reform, highlighting the pivotal political role of state-level waivers and welfare experiments." - Society "The author presents her argument in a clear and incisive way and provides a rich source of information about how the waiver projects gradually evolved to shape a coherent political agenda." - Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare "It is a book that deserves to be read by those at any level who are studying or practicing the art of political and social change..." - Contemporary Sociology "The Welfare Experiments makes a major contribution to the literature not just on welfare policy, but also on the politics of the policy process and public administration. This is a serious, sobering look at one of the most important periods in American policymaking history. Rogers-Dillon calls into serious question the possibility-and perhaps even the desirability-of rendering the policy process more scientific. A disturbing and necessary book, for supporters and opponents of welfare alike." - Steven Teles (Brandeis University) "In The Welfare Experiments, Robin Rogers-Dillon presents a thorough and incisive analysis of recent legislative developments in welfare reform and introduces a note of skepticism regarding the executive branch's creation of a system of change that now bypasses legislative approvals. This important work sounds cautions not only for welfare, but also for the broader range of social policy that surrounds the welfare system." - Martin Rein (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)