In the introduction, James S. Denton writes, 'The point of all the new programs of the 1960s, Americans were told, was to end poverty, not to underwrite it forever at indefinitely higher levels. Not only has the government failed to eliminate poverty, it has not even made progress towards that goal that can be detected by the most basic measures. The portion of the American population living in poverty remained essentially constant, from twelve to thirteen percent, between 1968 and 1985....This book is offered as a vehicle for hastening the emergence of (a) consensus on the need for comprehensive reform of the welfare system.' Contributors to this volume are: Daniel Patrick Moynihan, James S. Denton, Michael Novak, Leslie Lenkowsky, Glenn C. Loury, Carl A. Anderson, Blanche Bernstein, June O'Neill, Robert B. Carleson, William J. Gribbin, Richard Vedder, John C. Weicher, William Orzechowski, Rep. Jim Courter, Rep. Sander Levin and Rep. Robert S. Walker. Will be of great interest to policy makers, social workers and students who need to understand the issue of poverty. Co-published with the National Forum Foundation.