Poverty and Public Policy: Analyzing Modern Welfare Systems and Social Change

Why does poverty persist despite decades of policy interventions and economic growth? To design effective solutions, we must first understand how poverty is defined, measured, and debated in the public sphere. This course equips you with the fundamental analytical tools to examine social welfare policies, understand the economic and political forces behind poverty, and evaluate modern relief programs. What you'll learn: - Understand the key terminology, definitions, and modern metrics used to measure absolute and relative poverty. - Analyze the historical evolution of social welfare programs and how public perceptions shape policy design. - Evaluate the economic, political, and social forces that contribute to the persistence of systemic inequality. - Compare modern policy interventions, including universal basic income (UBI), conditional cash transfers, and digital welfare delivery. - Examine the role of social science research in resolving highly contested public policy debates. You will start by mastering foundational concepts of poverty measurement before exploring the history of social policy and analyzing contemporary debates surrounding welfare reform. This written course is designed for beginners, aspiring policy analysts, and civic-minded individuals with no prior background in economics or political science. Begin reading today to build a solid foundation in social policy analysis.