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Cato On Campus and D.C. Forum for Freedom invite you to a Student Forum

Debating Social Welfare Policy in the 21st Century: What's the Best Way Forward?

Student Forum
Friday, January 28, 2011
3:30 p.m. (Reception to Follow)

Featuring Michael Tanner, Senior Fellow, Cato Institute; Isabel Sawhill, Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution; and Peter Edelman, Professor, Georgetown University Law School; moderated by Jacob Shmukler, Research Assistant, Cato Institute.

Cato Institute
1000 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C.

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Since the 1930s the federal government has sought to reduce poverty through broad social welfare policies. Some 80 years later, however, poverty persists. Meanwhile, anti-poverty programs contribute to soaring state and federal budget deficits, potentially driving the economy into stagnation or even decline. Some observers argue that government programs worsen the causes and consequences of poverty. Others suggest that government programs, in the short term, enable the poor to keep their heads above water and, in the long term, address and correct economic imbalances which perpetuate the blight of poverty.

So what is the way forward, and what are the most effective social welfare policies that can remedy our nation's persistent struggle with poverty? Should policymakers step out of the way to allow the private sector to provide solutions, or should they take a primary role in crafting solutions? Join Cato On Campus and the D.C. Forum for Freedom for an exciting debate to kick off the new year and the new Congress.

Our panelists offer an array of perspectives. Michael Tanner argues that poverty alleviation is best accomplished through economic growth and private charity. Isabel Sawhill believes that reducing poverty requires both individual and government efforts that work in tandem to help people move up the economic ladder. And Peter Edelman argues that the American economy is at fault for leaving more and more people behind, and that to keep the ranks of the poor from swelling even more we need a combination of three basic elements: good jobs, excellent education, and a decent safety net for those who fall behind. Please plan to join this exciting debate.

For more information on the event and bios of the panelists, click here.

Registration for this event has closed, but walk-in registrations will be accepted.
Please view the Cato Events Calendar for upcoming events.