Abstract This paper explains that when Galbraith wrote "The Affluent Society", in 1958, he spotted problems in American society that were caused, not by the drive that accompanies the desire to escape from need, but by the blindness that results from excessive gain. This paper points out that Galbraith promoted a version of Keynes' idea that when economic growth is inadequate, "state expenditure for useful purposes" (including a certain amount of deficit spending) was the prop the economy needed. The author states that, despite the immense popularity of the book, now in its fourth edition, Galbraith's ideas were little heeded in practical terms.
Table of Contents
Keynes' Notion of Increasing Production
Keynes and State Spending
Biography
History of the Book
Galbraith's Central Argument
Pessimism of the Central Tradition
Accommodating Inequality and Insecurity
Making Increased Production the Only Economic Good
From the Paper "Galbraith constructed his argument in four stages. First, he demonstrated that postwar thought about the economy depended on the essential pessimism inherited from the central tradition in economics stretching back to Ricardo in the early nineteenth century. Second, he showed how an implicit accommodation to affluence was constructed. Third, he examined how the pessimistic assumption that poverty was inevitable, "which stemmed from a world where nearly all were poor," was institutionalized in affluent America. Finally, he attempted to show how, once one escaped the grip of the conventional wisdom that inequality and economic insecurity are inevitable, it was possible to imagine alternative courses of action."
Identifies causal factors for the gap in health care access for lower-income Americans and visible minorities and the more affluent members of America's majority.
Abstract As the American population continues to become more diverse racially, members of visible minority groups within the population become more prominent. Simultaneously, with the increase in diversity, income distribution in the American economy has become more distorted. While economic growth in the United States has surged over the past decade, the income gap has widened; not only between the richest and poorest Americans, but also between moderate-income and low-income Americans. Members of visible minorities in the population tend to be represented disproportionately in the low-income and poverty classifications in the United States. While there is an abundance of implications of this state of affairs, one of the more crucial ones is access to health care. Individual and household financial capacity, the scarcity of employer-paid health insurance among small businesses, cultural differences based in social psychology and other factors frequently act as impediments to health care access for low-income individuals and households among visible minority population groups in the contemporary United States. This problem and these issues are investigated in this study. The study identifies causal factors for the gap in health care access between lower-income Americans and members of visible minorities in the United States, on the one hand, and more affluent Americans and members of the majority segment of the population, on the other hand. The initial chapter of this study delineates the problem investigated. Specific research questions are formulated and stated to provide greater focus for the investigation.
Social psychological theory and applied social psychology literature are reviewed in the second chapter. Literature relevant to the functioning of low-income and visible minority population groups in the United States within a social psychological context are reviewed in the third chapter. The fourth chapter is devoted to a review of literature relevant to both the health care system in the United States and the experiences of low-income and visible minority population groups in relation to health care access and health care delivery in the United States. An assessment of the problem investigated, performed within the structure of the research questions, is presented in the final (fifth) chapter. Conclusions drawn from the study findings are stated and recommendations for further research are made. The summary conclusions reached through the conduct of this study relate both to health care access and health care utilization by low-income persons and members of visible minorities. With respect to health care access, the summary conclusion reached is that a universal system of health care entitlement is required in the United States. In relation to health care utilization by low-income persons and members of visible minorities, the summary conclusion reached is that extensive education is required for both low-income persons and members of visible minorities, on the one hand, and health care providers, on the other hand. Low-income persons and members of visible minorities require education on the benefits and function of health care services, while health care providers require education in the social mores of the diverse populations they must serve.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Problem Delineation
Background on the Problem
Statement of the Problem
Research Questions
Review of Relevant Social Psychology Theory and Literature
Introduction
Sociological Theory and Health Care
The Welfare State
Accessing Contemporary Health Care
Role of Ethics in Accessing Health Care
Alternative Health Care Delivery Systems
Chapter Conclusions
Social Functioning of Low-Income and Visible Minority Population Groups
Introduction
HIV/AIDS Related Behavior
Initiatives to Improve Health Care
Access and Behaviors
The American Health Care System and the Experiences of Low-Income and Visible Minority Groups
Introduction
The American Health Care System
Analysis of Health Care Delivery Systems
Care Quality
Alternative Approaches to Health Care
Bioethical Issues
Problems of Accessibility
Initiatives to Improve Minority Access
Chapter Conclusions
Assessment of the Problem Discussion, Recommendations for Further Research
Appendices
Annotated Bibliography
From the Paper "Social Cognitive Theory [self-efficacy] emphasizes the role of expectancies, self-efficacy, peer normative influences, and social competency skills as key components affecting adolescents? behaviors (DiClemente, Lodico, Grinstead, Harper, Rickman, Evans, & Coates, 1996). The applicability of models based on social psychological principles for understanding African-Americans? decision-making and sexual behavior has been questioned because most such models tend to be individually-focused and do not take into account the social context in which the behavior is embedded (Cochran & Mays, 1993). Social cognitive theory, however, explicitly integrates behavioral, cognitive, and environmental factors as reciprocally interactive. Thus, given the hypothesized multi-factorial nature of sexual decision making and the potential impact of the high-risk social environment of the study population, approaches based on social cognitive theory are thought to be particularly relevant for understanding the myriad factors that may affect African-Americans? sexual behavior."
Abstract This paper explains that the U.S. spends more per capita on healthcare than Switzerland, Canada and practically all advanced nations; but these other countries provide better healthcare as indicated by services provided at a much lower cost and the output measures of longevity and infant mortality. The author points out that superior medical care is available for pregnant women in all three of these Western nations; however, access to the very best medical care is generally restricted to the affluent in the United States and is constrained by regulatory, geographic proximity and social issues in Canada and Switzerland. The paper relates that U.S. has higher rates of fertility and of pregnancies aborted; the population of expectant mothers in the United States is younger, less mature, less experienced and less financially stable. Tables
Table of Contents
Introduction
Review and Discussion
Healthcare Options - United States
Summary
Conclusion and Critique
From the Paper "Recent changes in some provinces and states to again allow midwives to practice is encouraging. Nurse midwives are legally licensed to practice in all states. There are nurse midwifery schools in 17 states and certification programs in others. British Columbia and Ontario have passed laws that make midwifery legal. There are also non-medical home births and birthing centers in some areas where only emergency or high-risk mothers are sent for medical care. Finally, there are active organizations attempting to transfer some of the responsibility for neonatal care away from the hands of the medical industry and into the hands of Canadian mothers."
This paper discusses De Graaf, Wann and Naylor's "Affluenza", a social diseases of today's affluent American society characterized by over-consumption, social disintegration, and environmental degradation.
Abstract This paper explains that "affluenza" is a social problem, which emerged from the success of capitalism and modernism in America. The author points out that the book states that, in America, a strong and good family relationship is determined through the family's capability to spend money, which the family members think is beneficial to their relationship. The paper states "affluenza" creates a blatant disregard for the physical environment because the lifestyle of the affluent American produces more waste than ever in the history of human society by the proliferation of plastic-made, particularly disposable, other non-biodegradable materials and hazardous waste materials.
From the Paper "Over-consumption was the American psyche that reflected how people considered excessive consumption as the immediate 'solution' in dealing with the stress that come with everyday life. Ironically, what the authors imparted in the book was that Americans worked very hard in order to financially support the lifestyle that they cannot maintain, much less enjoy (40). This realization showed that Americans were not living life as they aspired it to be: the comfort available to them only caused stress and bankruptcy. Bankruptcy resulted from over-spending and not being able to pay for these excessive purchases, while stress was caused by the need to alleviate one's sudden feelings of emotional instability and the pressure to keep up with other people's apparent ascent towards 'affluence'."
Abstract In this paper the author examines how music is affected by situations and not situations by music. He highlights Rap music as the street music of the ghetto and mainstream pop music as that of the more affluent segment of society. He then examines punk rock as sharing a defiant tone that is characteristic of rap, but considered the music of white alternative rockers.The paper concludes with observation that music can tell a story if anyone listens.
From the Paper "While it is true that songs like "Cop Killer" contain language that is objectionable and an exhortation to violent reactions to the injustices around them, most of those who listen to rap understand the nature of the lyrics. While parents of middle class and upper middle class teens worry that they will be influenced by the sordid nature of the music, those in the black neighborhoods know that this music is a predictable response to what ghetto teens see around them every day."
Abstract This paper relates that, despite the variety of social security and welfare programs were introduced to support the poorer and unemployed population, poverty persisted in the affluent society of the U.S. The author points out that poverty in America has a diverse view from the rest of the world as indicated by statistics of U.S. Department of Commerce (2001), which indicated that a typical American defined as poor by the government has a car, air conditioning, a refrigerator, a stove, a clothes washer and dryer and a microwave, far from the popular images of dire poverty conveyed by the press, liberal activists and politicians. The paper concludes that the Social Security is the U.S. government's greatest success story; by creating more jobs, improving educational facilities, eliminating corruption and by making optimum utilization of social security programs, the U.S. can virtually eliminate remaining poverty from the American society.
Table of Contents
Factor Responsible for Increase in Poverty
Poverty in United States of America
Diverse Definitions of Poverty in United States
Social Security Program
Methods of Reducing Poverty
Conclusion
Table 1: Ownership of Property and Consumer Goods among Poor Family-Units
From the Paper "The NPR, the Kaiser Family Foundation, and Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government conducted a joint survey, which revealed that Americans aren't thinking a lot about the poor these days. However, when they are asked about it directly, most Americans think that poverty is still a problem in this country, even in these generally prosperous times. In fact, a majority of Americans think poverty is not just a problem but a big problem. But they define it in a different way, 64% Americans say that a family of f our with an income of $20,000 is poor, whereas 42% say that a family of four earning $25,000 is poor. It shows great political divisions in the country on the subject of poverty."
Abstract This paper explains that Armani differentiated himself through his unique application of men's fabrics in relaxed designs for women that were earmarked by unstructured jackets and suits. The author points out that his signature style, "understated elegance", is easy fit, ready to wear garments, that have an air of tailored and sharply cut lines. The paper states that the classic consumer for Armani products is the affluent, or aspiring-affluent, brand-conscious, fashion-conscious customer who, generally, is youthful, active, high-performing and high-profile.
From the Paper "His designs are notable for their linear style. In the 2001 show, the prevailing theme was a "techno-ethnic" blend, where techno fabrics were intermingled with ethnic shapes. "Fake double" finishes and padded lightweight materials with no collars or buttons personify his unique technique. The contrast that is achieved with the combination of opposite materials, i.e., light and dark, rough and smooth, glossy and matte provide the backdrop for his outstanding fashions."
Abstract This paper addresses the issue of child care. It starts off by providing a history child care and brings us to the present day hurdles facing this topic. With the modern day phenomena of single and teenage mothers, alternative child care facilities need to be made available at educational institutes. This paper provides a broad look at child care in the US, focuses on Alabama and finally on Troy State University.
From the paper:
"Day care is most often thought of as a contemporary issue. On the contrary, most American mothers, whether in urban settings or on farms, were responsible for much more than child care. Before the idea of day care was conceived, mothers often depended on family members, older children, and other women to look after their children. It was not until the 1800s that American urban middle class society originated the stay-at-home mother concept.
In the late 19th-century, privileged, affluent women founded day nurseries to meet the needs of poor and working class mothers who were employed to support their children. There were more than five hundred nurseries across the country by 1912. Initially, day care was offered as charity to the deserving poor. It was not the intent of these nurseries to encourage mothers to work outside the home. "
Abstract The following paper critically analyzes whether divorce is a devastating act that reverberates down the decades, inflicting permanent harm on adults and children or whether it is a healing act for the family torn by conflicts that are far worse than any divorce might be.
From the paper:
? Wallerstein's research is anecdotal, limited to a homogeneous, affluent, Caucasian sample, and was not contrasted with a control group. She did not track similar families torn by conflicts who nonetheless stayed together. Her work's most serious flaw, however, is her skewed sample: every family came to her because they were already experiencing serious problems. And thus her work has been criticized by some colleagues, because it does not take into account the complex tangle of emotions and difficulties that dysfunctional families suffer, whether they divorce or not.?
This paper looks at how F.Scott Fitzgerald employs alcohol, and the abuse of alcohol, to symbolise priorities and problems in 1920's upper class America in his book, "The Great Gatsby."
Abstract This paper examines essay highlights the importance of alcohol in upper class 1920's America illustrated in F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, "The Great Gatsby." With reference to values surrounding wealth, etiquette and class, the essay illustrates how Fitzgerald uses alcohol to represent the contradictory feelings in upper class America; although there is a dinstinctive feeling of energy and euphoria in the era, this is underlined by crisis and unease.
From the Paper "Alcohol also seems to contribute to the distinctive energy of America. It has a direct effect on mood, leading to heightened euphoria and sociability. Such high spirits ensure the success of Gatsby's parties, where "cocktails permeate the garden outside until the air is alive with chatter and laughter" (p.42). Intoxicated, his guests are happy and carefree. Indeed, alcohol is credited for the confidence of a girl who dances alone at one party; she "seizes a cocktail"and dumps it down for courage? (p.43). The positive effects of alcohol are also apparent at other points in the novel. A visitor to West Egg becomes more pleasant through drinking: "the woman said nothing"until unexpectedly, after two highballs, she became cordial? (p.99). Alcohol also helps overturn some of the social restrictions of polite society."
Abstract This paper examines the necessity and results of the Motor Vehicle Air Pollution Control Act of 1965. It looks at the affluent American culture of the 1960s that created emission control regulations, which generally requires that auto exhaust gases have to be cleaner than ambient air. The paper argues both sides of the age-old debate of the environment versus economics.
From the Paper "Since World War II, the growth of industrialization skyrocketed. The industrialization growth caused more and more environmental problems. In 1952, a London "fog" killed three thousand (3,000) people in a few days. (Sullivan, p.12) Los Angeles smoke and fog or smog was already famous among the American people during that time. Attention needed to be paid to the growing environmental problems."
Abstract This paper show that since the end of World War II, the American people have seen an extraordinary change in the economic, social and moral priorities of the nation and its people. Three generations have grown up since the war, each positively and negatively influenced by their parents and social change. The paper studies the most affluent of the three - the WWII generation; the Baby Boomers who are shaped by the political upheaval in America during their formative years and finally, the Gen-Xers - a generation which saw many cultural firsts. Issues covered are: Raising Kids Differently Than The Generation Before, Influences of Baby Boomers, The Children of Baby Boomers, The Values Passed On By WWII Parents, Work Ethics, Social Changes, The Outcome of Baby Boomer Child-Rearing Methods.
From the Paper "As time progressed, the baby boomers, who were encouraged by their parents to volunteer and contribute to the community, tossed aside this mentality in favor of making deals over power lunches. As divorce rates climbed and the number of unmarried mothers increased, it became apparent that rampant uninhibited sex was ?in.? The Baby Boomers parents would find this notion unconceivable.
Basically, Baby Boomers came to treat everything, including people, as if they were disposable and easily replaced. Boomers are known to downsize corporations at the expense of workers, invest in grossly over-valued technology stocks that represent completely intangible products, divorce families, and simply ignore the immature behaviors of politicians."
A comparative analysis of the lives and writings of two different authors St. Jean De Crevecueur and Tom Paine who both envisaged the establishment of the United States of America.
Abstract This paper looks at the works of St. Jean De Crevecueur and Tom Paine, both from the early Puritan period, one a Frenchman and one an Englishman who defined the America as seen through their own eyes and illustrated contrary ideas of the new world that was to come. Thomas Paine focused directly upon the United States' aims and objectives by influencing the breaking off of America from England in order for the country to expand itself and be its own free government. Crevecueur saw it being an abundant, affluent and liberated country rich in agriculture.
From the Paper "Thomas Paine's Common Sense, focused directly upon the United States' aims and objectives by influencing the disjoined of America from England in order for the country to expand itself and be its own free government. Thus, he utilized the metaphor of a "young oak" that became "full grown" in order to symbolize as well as encourage this change. In the novel, Common Sense, the most general theme that run throughout the novel was growth that had to do directly with the extensive landscape, the distended population of the United States, the government system that was becoming more like an adult independent who has grown- up to the mother country and the abundant soil of the Americas, which all reflected and helped to give this rising country (A. Owen, 1984)."
Tags: france, revolution, england, civil, freedom, natural, reason, rights, free, government
Abstract Far from being satisfied with the settled, comfortable existence of an affluent and artistic household or with the benefits of being married to a successful actor, Madeleine L'Engle applied and built on the many advantages into which she was born to the project of her own artistic and professional development. An award-winning writer of children's books, including A Wrinkle in Time, which was published in 1962 and won the Newbery Medal in 1963, and which served as the touchstone for three sequels that shaped the rest of what has been described as the Time Quartet.
From the Paper "Introduction
Far from being satisfied with the settled, comfortable existence of an affluent and artistic household or with the benefits of being married to a successful actor, Madeleine L'Engle applied and built on the many advantages into which she was born to the project of her own artistic and professional development. An award-winning writer of children's books, including A Wrinkle in Time, which was published in 1962 and won the Newbery Medal in 1963, and which served as the touchstone for three sequels that shaped the rest of what has been described as the Time Quartet (Estes 1620), L'Engle now divides her time between writing and lecturing, holding the post of writer-in-residence and librarian at the Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City (Collection)."
From the Paper "On the first page of his 1958 bestseller, The Affluent Society, John Kenneth Galbraith wrote that "wealth is the relentless enemy of understanding" (1). What he tried to point out was that, although getting gain had been a primary pursuit of Americans long before 1958, endless increases in production--even with an increasing ability to take a guiding hand in manufacturing demand--had become the key to contemporary affluence. And, while this had been producing ever-greater gain for some, it was also engendering severe want and other social problems at a correspondingly rapid rate. Those whose primary goal is the getting of gain had been proceeding without regard for the way this shaped society. And, wrapped up in increasing gain, these Americans seemed incapable of appreciating that want in others would eventually reach critical mass and prove to work..."
