353: Protecting Soldiers and Mothers by Theda Skocpol

Protecting Soldiers and Mothers: The Political Origins of Social Policy in United States

One of the key elements missing from our national debate about national health care, and now social security, is why we even have these things in the first place. Skocpol traces the development of the social safety net from pensions for Civil War vets and widows, to worker's compensation for injury won by the progressive movement in the early 20th century. Her history stops before the New Deal of the 1930s.

This is a substantial work, and not without its flaws. However, it's fascinating to see how the debates surrounding health care periodically take center stage. If you're not used to reading dry, academic tomes you might want to check this out of the library before ordering.

Why this is progressive/liberal: The progressive side of the political spectrum has been advocating for increasing the government's role in health care for more than a century. Unfortunately, many progressives become tongue-tied when asked to defend these policies, other than noting that it is a humane policy followed by most nations. If you want to educate yourself about the reasons to have a strong social safety net when it comes to health care, start with its history.

BUY THIS BOOK

Buy the Kindle version of this book: Protecting Soldiers and Mothers: The Political Origins of Social Policy in United States