This is a sweeping narrative of American domestic public policy—its triumphs, struggles, and failures over the past 120 years. In a larger sense, it is a reflection on how the United States has grown and matured, faced challenges and opportunities, and how its federal leaders and policymakers have responded or failed to confront pressing problems. Moreover, American Public Policy addresses the hurdles and challenges that still lie ahead.
Four critical questions are posed and answered. First, what were the most significant adversities endured by the American people? Second, what were the landmark domestic policies crafted by the president, enacted by Congress, or issued in Supreme Court decisions? Third, what did they fail to do? Finally, how well have federal policymakers met the key challenges facing America: income inequality, racism, financial crises, terrorist attacks, climate change, gun violence, and other pressures? And what do we still need to do?
This book reaches out to students of public policy, American government, US history, and contemporary affairs, as well as to citizens, journalists, and policy practitioners.
Author(s): Dennis W. Johnson
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 537
City: New York
Cover
Endorsements
Half Title
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Contents
About the Author
Photos
Acknowledgments
Note
Introduction
Notes
Part 1: The Early Years of the Twentieth Century
Chapter 1: The Progressive Era Begins: 1901-1912
America at The Beginning of the Twentieth Century
The Era by the Numbers
Society Under Stress
Exposing Corruption and Greed
Bank Panic of 1907
Supremacy of Jim Crow
Tenement Houses, Working Conditions, and Immigrants
The National Government
The Presidency
The Executive Branch
The Congress
Leadership in the Senate
Leadership in the House
The Judiciary
Key Policies Enacted
Conservation and Protection of Public Lands
Significance of these Policies
Trust-Busting
Significance of these Policies
Pure Food and Drugs
Significance of these Policies
Sixteenth Amendment: Federal Income Tax
Significance of this Policy
Seventeenth Amendment: Popular Election of Senators
Significance of this Policy
The Court Weighs In
Affirming State Power to Regulate Working Conditions
Significance of this Ruling
Policies Delayed or Denied
Protecting Children in the Workplace
Worker Rights and Contracts
Woman's Suffrage
Notes
Chapter 2: Success and Backlash of Progressive Policy: 1913-1920
America During This Era
The Era by the Numbers
Society Under Stress
Entering the Great War
Working Conditions and Labor Strikes
The Red Scare
The Influenza Pandemic
East St. Louis and the "Red Summer"
The National Government
The Presidency
The Executive Branch
The Congress
Leadership in the Senate
Leadership in the House
The Judiciary
Key Policies Enacted
Federal Reserve System
Significance of this Policy
Prohibition
Significance of these Policies
Nineteenth Amendment: Woman Suffrage
Significance of this Policy
Protecting Children in the Labor Market
Policies Delayed or Denied
Anti-Lynching Legislation
Reversal of Child Labor Protections
Failure to Plan Demobilization
Notes
Chapter 3: The Return to "Normalcy" and the Onset of the Depression: 1921-1932
America During This Era
The Era by the Numbers
Society Under Stress
Depression in Agriculture
The 1927 Mississippi Flooding
Racial Violence
The "Invisible Empire" and 100 Percent Americanism
Labor Relations
The Great Depression Begins
The National Government
The Presidency
The Executive Branch
The Congress
Leadership in the Senate
Leadership in the House
The Judiciary
Key Policies Enacted
Problems with Prohibition
Immigration Reform
Significance of this Policy
Ill-Fated Protective Tariff
Significance of this Policy
Maternity and Infant Protection
Significance of this Policy
Outlawing "Yellow Dog" Contracts and Federal Court Labor Injunctions
Constitutional Amendment
Policies Delayed or Denied
Child Labor
Anti-Lynching Legislation
Assistance to Farmers
Triumph of Freedom of Contract
Failure to Combat the Depression
Notes
Chapter 4: The New Deal: 1933-1941
America During This Era
The Era by the Numbers
Society Under Stress
The Grinding Desperation of Poverty
The Clash in the Workplace
Turn to Radical Voices
Race, Politics, and Southern Separation
Rise of Anti-Semitism
The National Government
The Presidency
The Executive Branch
The Congress
Leadership in the Senate
Leadership in the House
The Judiciary
Key Policies Enacted
Stabilizing the Banking and Financial System
Significance of these Policies
Electricity, Flood Control, and Economic Support for the Tennessee Valley and Rural America
Significance of these Policies
Protecting the Working Family and Union Democracy
Significance of this Policy
Assistance for the Elderly: Social Security
Significance of this Policy
Establishing a Federal Minimum Wage and Prohibiting Child Labor
Significance of this Policy
Policies Delayed or Denied
The Court Weighs In
Failure of Anti-lynching Legislation
Notes
Part II: The War Years, Post-War and Modern America
Chapter 5: War, Recovery, and Readjustment: 1941-1952
America During This Era
The Era by the Numbers
Society Under Stress
Labor Unrest and Adjustment to the Post-war Economy
McCarthyism and "Soft on Communism"
Racial Unrest
The Detroit and Harlem Race Riots
The Right to Vote and Double V
The National Government
The Presidency
The Executive Branch
The Congress
Leadership in the Senate
Leadership in the House
The Judiciary
Key Policies Enacted
Protecting the Returning Veteran
Significance of this Policy
Hospital Construction
Significance of this Policy
Migrant Workers, Immigrants, and Refugees
The Braceros Program
Chinese Immigration
The Displaced Persons Act (1948)
Immigrants and National Security
Significance of these Policies
Fighting Racial Discrimination Through Executive Orders and Court Decisions
Preventing Racial Discrimination in Federal Job Training Programs
Desegregating the Armed Services
Ending the White Primary
Desegregating Interstate Buses
Prohibiting Restrictive Covenants
Constitutional Amendment: Limiting the President's Term of Office
Revamping Labor-Management Relations
Significance of this Policy
Public Housing, Slum Clearance, Redlining and Discrimination
Significance of this Policy
The Court Weighs In
Policies Delayed or Denied
Failure to Eliminate the Poll Tax
National Health Insurance
Executive Order to Seize Steel Industry and Court Rebuff
Notes
Chapter 6: America at Midcentury: 1953-1960
America During This Era
The Era by the Numbers
Society Under Stress
McCarthy and "Soft on Communism," Part 2
Organized Crime and Union Corruption
Racial Tensions
The National Government
The Presidency
The Executive Branch
The Congress
Leadership in the Senate
Leadership in the House
The Judiciary
Key Policies Enacted
Immigrants and Refugees
Operation Wetback
Refugee Relief
Significance of these Policies
Racial Justice
Significance of these Policies
Ribbons of Highway
Significance of these Policies
Protecting the Elderly and Those with Disabilities
Significance of these Policies
Federal Aid to Education
Significance of this Policy
Policies Denied or Delayed
Medical Insurance for the Elderly Poor
Watered Down Civil Rights Protections
Notes
Chapter 7: The New Frontier and Great Society: 1961-1968
America During This Era
The Era by the Numbers
Society Under Stress
Poverty, Urban and Rural
The Kennedy Assassination and Public Trust
Cuba, Vietnam, and Discontent
Racial Tensions and Struggle
1968
The National Government
The Presidency
The Executive Branch
The Congress
Leadership in the Senate
Leadership in the House
The Judiciary
Key Policies Enacted
Constitutional Amendments
Protecting the Rights of Minorities
The Civil Rights Act (1964)
Significance of these Policies
The Voting Rights Act (1965)
Significance of this Policy
Health Care Assistance for Seniors and the Indigent
Significance of these Policies
The "War on Poverty"
Food Stamps
Head Start
Significance of these Policies
Immigration Reform
Significance of this Policy
Federal Education Assistance
Significance of these Policies
Protecting the Wilderness and Environment
Significance of these Policies
The Court Weighs In
Expanded Rights of Persons Accused of Crimes
Prayer and Bible Reading in Public Schools
The Right to Privacy
Freedom of the Press
Interracial Marriages
Redistricting and Equal Representation
Notes
Chapter 8: Watergate, Distrust, and Malaise: 1969-1980
America During This Era
The Era by the Numbers
Society Under Stress
The Vietnam War
Environmental Consciousness
Oil Crisis and Economic Turmoil
The Rise of Feminism, Native American Consciousness, Hispanic and Gay Activism
The National Government
The Presidency
The Executive Branch
The Congress
Leadership in the Senate
Leadership in the House
The Judiciary
Key Policies Enacted
Guaranteeing Eighteen-year-olds the Right to Vote
The Decade of the Environment
Significance of these Policies
Educational Equality for Women
Significance of this Policy
Campaign Financing
Significance of these Policies
The Supreme Court Weighs In
The Right to Have an Abortion
Executive Privilege and Wrongdoing
Desegregation of Public Schools and Busing
Inequality in Public School Financing and the Right to Education
Affirmative Action
Policies Denied or Delayed
Universal Childcare
The Equal Rights Amendment
Abolishing the Electoral College
Full Voting Participation in Congress for District of Columbia
Notes
Part III: Polarization, Growing Inequality, and Difficult Choices
Chapter 9: Conservative Dominance: 1981-1992
America During This Era
Turmoil in the World
The Era by the Numbers
Society Under Stress
Rustbelt America
Police Brutality and Urban Unrest
AIDS Epidemic
Environmental Backlash
The National Government
The Presidency
The Executive Branch
The Congress
Leadership in the Senate
Leadership in the House
The Judiciary
Key Policies Enacted
Tax Policy and Budget Cuts
Domestic Budget Cuts
Significance of these Policies
Making Social Security Solvent
Significance of this Policy
Attempts to Balance the Budget
Significance of these Policies
Tax Reform
Significance of this Policy
Immigration Reform and Refugees
Significance of these Policies
Civil Rights for the Disabled
Significance of this Policy
Clean Air Amendments
Significance of this Policy
North American Free Trade
The Court Weighs In
Abortion Restrictions
Policies Delayed or Denied
Global Warming
Permanent Storage of Nuclear Waste
Notes
Chapter 10: Coming Into the Twenty-first Century: 1993-2000
America During This Era
The Era by the Numbers
Society Under Stress
Growing Wealth Gap
Dot.com Boom and Bust
Homegrown Militias, Terrorism, and Hate Crimes
The National Government
The Presidency
The Congress
Contract with America
Leadership in the Senate
Leadership in the House
The Judiciary
Key Polices Enacted
Key Policies Enacted
Medical Leave for Families
Significance of this Policy
Gays in the Military and Same-sex Marriages
Gays in the Military
Significance of this Policy
Same-sex Marriages
Significance of this Policy
Welfare Reform
Significance of this Policy
Banking and Investments
Significance of this Policy
The Court Weighs In
Term Limits for Members of Congress
Equal Protection and Homosexuals
Racial Gerrymandering
Florida Recount of Presidential Ballots
Policies Delayed or Denied
Universal Health Care
Public Education Goals
Presidential Line-Item Veto
Climate Change
Notes
Chapter 11: Vulnerable America: 2001-2008
America During This Era
The Era by the Numbers
Society Under Stress
9/11 and Its Aftermath
Growing Economic Inequality and the Great Recession
The Opioid Crisis
Cultural Fractures and Polarization
Corporate Collapses
Mass Shootings
Katrina and Federal, State, and Local Unpreparedness
The National Government
The Presidency
The Executive Branch
The Congress
Leadership in the Senate
Leadership in the House
The Judiciary
Key Policies Enacted
Key Policies Enacted
Reducing Taxes, Increasing the Deficit, Growing the Income Gap
Significance of these Policies
9/11 and National Security
Significance of these Policies
No Child Left Behind
Significance of this Policy
Prescription Drugs
Significance of this Policy
Securities Legislation
Significance of this Policy
Campaign Finance Reform
Significance of these Policies
Energy Policy
Significance of these Policies
Averting an Economic Meltdown
Significance of this Policy
The Court Weighs In
Affirmative Action and College Admissions
Guns and the Second Amendment
Carbon Dioxide and Global Warming
Policies Delayed or Denied
Gun Control
Environment Rollback
Immigration Reform
Notes
Chapter 12: Polarized America: 2009-2016
America During This Era
The Era by the Numbers
Society under Stress
Widening Inequality
Economic Downfall
The Continued Resurgence of Hate Groups and Racist Agitation
Gun Violence
Conservative Backlash—the Tea Party
The National Government
The Presidency
The Congress
Leadership in the Senate
Leadership in the House
The Judiciary
Key Policies Enacted
Addressing the Financial Meltdown
The Recovery Act
Significance of this Policy
Automobile Industry Rescue
Significance of this Policy
Universal Health Care
The Content of the Affordable Care Act
Significance of this Policy
Reforming Wall Street Practices
Significance of this Policy
Protecting the Environment and Conservation
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
Automobile Fuel Economy
"War on Coal"
The Court Weighs In
Dismantling Campaign Finance Reform
Removing Voting Rights Protections
Defense of Marriage Act and Same-sex Marriage
Policies Delayed or Denied
Immigration Reform
Climate Change
Gun Control
Overdose from Deadly Drugs
Notes
Chapter 13: Democracy Challenged: 2017-2022
America During This Era
The Era by the Numbers
Income, Wealth, and Growing Inequality
Minimum Wage, Poverty and Access to Health Care
Society Under Stress
Threats to Democratic Values and Institutions
Above All, Defying the Will of the People and Attacking the Legitimacy of Elections
Crippling the Institutions of Government
Mainstream Media as the "Enemy of the People"
Social Media, Lies, Disinformation, and Conspiracies
Defiance of Authority
Immigrants, Xenophobia, and Border Walls
Struggles of the White Working Class
State of Black Economic Progress
The Ugly Specter of Mass Shootings, Hate Crimes, Police Actions, and Racism
The Majority/Minority America, the Culture Wars, and Christian Nationalism
Coronavirus Pandemic
The Polarization of the Political Parties
The National Government
The Presidency
The Executive Branch
The Congress
Leadership in the Senate
Leadership in the House
The Judiciary
Key Policies Enacted
Tax Reform
Significance of this Policy
Financial Bailout During the Pandemic, CARES, and Stimulus
Significance of these Policies
The Court Weighs In
Presidential Assertion of Absolute Authority
Title VII and Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation
Gerrymandering
Native American Lands
Policies Delayed or Denied
The Pandemic
Failed Repeal of Obamacare
Immigration Reform
Environment and Climate Change
Climate Change
Rebuilding the Infrastructure
Mass Shootings, Gun Restrictions
Notes
Chapter 14: The Arduous Road Ahead
Stresses On Society
Key Policies Enacted and Key Policies Denied
Battling Against the Pandemic
Fixing the Crumbling Infrastructure
Build Back Better
The Policy Challenges Facing The United States
Education
Health Care
Inequality
Election Reform
Who Can Vote?
The Integrity of the Election Systems
Campaign Financing
The Electoral College
Immigration Reform
Climate Mitigation
Assuring the Solvency of Social Security
The Federal Budget
Gun Violence
Confronting Domestic Terrorism
What Holds US Back?
The Chasm
How We Compare
The Downward Trend
The Way Ahead
Notes
Appendix A: Stresses on Society
Chronologically and By Category
Chronologically
1901-1912: The Progressive Era Begins
1913-1920: Progressive Policy: Success and Backlash
1921-1932: The Return to "Normalcy" and the Onset of the Depression
1933-1941: The New Deal
1941-1952: War, Recovery, and Readjustment
1953-1960: America at Mid-Century
1961-1968: New Frontier and Great Society
1969-1980: Watergate, Distrust, and Malaise
1981-1992: Conservative Dominance
1993-2000: Coming into the Twenty-First Century
2001-2008: Vulnerable America
2009-2016: Polarized America
2017-2020: Democracy Challenged
By Category
Financial and Economic Problems
Racial Strife, Race Relations
Poverty and Inequality
Labor Relations
Social Agitation
War and Foreign Terrorism
Natural Disasters
Health Concerns
Immigration, Nativism
Social Disruption, Hate Groups, Domestic Terrorism
Environmental Consciousness
Loss of Trust In Government, Polarization
Cultural Strains
Appendix B: Key Policies, 1900-2021
Chronologically and By Category
Chronologically
1901-1912: The Progressive Era Begins
1913-1920: Progressive Policy: Success and Backlash
1921-1932: The Return to "Normalcy" and the Onset of the Depression
1933-1941: The New Deal
1941-1952: War, Recovery, and Readjustment
1953-1960: America at Mid-Century
1961-1968: New Frontier and Great Society
1969-1980: Watergate, Distrust, and Malaise
1981-1992: Conservative Dominance
1993-2000: Coming into the Twenty-First Century
2001-2008: Vulnerable America
2009-2016: Polarized America
2017-2020: Democracy Challenged
2021: The Arduous Road Ahead
By Category
Conservation and Environmental Protection
Energy Policy
Food and Drugs Safety
Monopolies, Anti-Trust
Labor Relations, Working Conditions
Taxation, Finance, Trade, and Banking System
The Right to Vote
Campaigns and Elections
Social Welfare
Health Care
Civil Rights for All
Prohibition and Repeal
Presidential Authority
Immigration Reform
Federal Budgeting
Economic Recovery
Economic Regulation
Combatting Racial Discrimination
Housing
Protecting the Military Veteran
Education Assistance
Transportation and Infrastructure
Arts and Culture
Protection of Rights and Freedoms
National Security
Appendix C: Policies Delayed or Denied
Chronologically and By Category
Chronologically
1901-1912: The Progressive Era Begins
1913-1920: Progressive Policy: Success and Backlash
1921-1932: The Return to "Normalcy" and the Onset of the Depression
1933-1941: The New Deal
1941-1952: War, Recovery, and Readjustment
1953-1960: America at Mid-Century
1961-1968: New Frontier and Great Society
1969-1980: Watergate, Distrust, and Malaise
1981-1992: Conservative Dominance
1993-2000: Coming into the Twenty-First Century
2001-2008: Vulnerable America
2009-2016: Polarized America
2017-2020: Democracy Challenged
By Category
Workers' Rights and Contracts
Voting Rights
Social Welfare
Equal Rights
Racial Strife and Justice
War Demobilization
Combatting Economic Collapse
Health Care
Global Warming and Climate Change
Energy Policy
Presidential Power
Public Education
Gun Control
Immigration Reform
Health
Infrastructure and Transportation
Index
