Poor America a comparative historical study of poverty in the United States and Western Europe

Includes bibliographical references (p. 155-161) and index.

The state of poverty in the United States and Western Europe: five theoretical approaches seeking to explain the variance -- The challenge to America -- The historical experience -- Attitudes, beliefs, and values -- System differences as explanations -- The role of political elites -- The role of business elites -- The history of poverty in seven nations to 1900 -- The early history of poverty in the Unites States -- The Dutch historical experience -- The early French and Belgium history of poverty -- The English historical experience -- The historical experience with poverty in Sweden and Germany -- Final observations: the 20th century and today -- The finalization of social reform and anti-poverty legislation in Western Europe and the United States in the 20th century -- Conclusion: what are the prospects? -- Appendix: major references -- Index.