The problems, unintended consequences, and successes of the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act are discussed and analyzed. (EH)

Cites specific examples to demonstrate the influence intellectuals have had historically on the formulation of public policy. (MK)

Forumates two general laws relative to social science evaluations of public policy programs

The Age Discrimination Act of 1975 was premised upon a fundamental but doubtful analogy between race discrimination and age discrimination. The law is thus inconsistent, confusing, divisive, and poses practical problems regarding interpretation, enforcement, and resource allocation. (Author/GC)

Explores what "The New Americans: Economic, Demographic, and Fiscal Effects of Immigration" study by the National Research Council actually says about the effects of immigration, considering the negative wage effects of immigration on the poor and the fact that immigration is not the benefit to the economy it once was thought to be. (SLD)

Stresses the need to align policy with what is known about the importance of certain behaviors in reducing poverty and inequality, focusing on ideology versus reality; the importance of work; behavior as a matter of choice versus opportunity; the influence of marriage on poverty; and how public policy can prevent a widening of the country's…

Discusses various viewpoints on poverty. Contrasts progressive-era politics with today's dependency politics. Differing views of the poor and the causes of poverty impede the implementation of the new paternalistic programs which have, in some places, begun to succeed. Urges a consensus. (DM)

Discusses the British underclass, a subgroup of poor people who live off mainstream society without participating in it. Examines the underclass' roots in illegitimacy, crime, and voluntary unemployment. Suggests that well-intentioned social policies have removed incentives for change. (FMW)

Argues that the policies for teacher certification proposed by the National Commission on Teaching and America's Future (NCTAF) will actually harm education in the United States. Prospects for school reform will be poorer if power to approve teachers is taken from elected officials who are increasingly responsive to the public demand for…

Changes in parenting behavior have led to the troubling situation called the "feminization of poverty." Families headed by divorced women are doing better than is commonly supposed. Families headed by never-married women are doing worse. Public policy should reflect the differing needs of these two groups. (VM)

Examines reasons given for affirmative action quotas for minorities and asserts that such justifications as reparation and mitigation of poverty do not apply to women as a group. Thus argues that women should be treated fairly as individuals but that quotas make no sense. (GC)

Examines subgroups of the homeless population and their needs for shelter. Argues that governments and charities should make distinctions among the highly diverse groups of the homeless and cease providing unlimited and unconditional aid to the able bodied, which tends to ensnare youth in the culture of dependency. (FMW)

Poverty is caused by barriers and traps in the economy. Participation in the labor force does not necessarily signal an end to poverty. Increasing one's educational level can help, but other factors such as age, marital status, disabilities, number of children, and geographic location can be stronger influences. (VM)

The Voting Rights Act was a noble response to the callousness of those who permitted and perpetrated the disenfranchisement of Southern Blacks. However, the political polarization of the society along racial and ethnic lines may be its main accomplishment. (Author)