The Great Recession Strains the American Social Contract

The Great Recession has exposed numerous flaws in our social contract – weaknesses that existed prior to the economic downturn – highlighting the need for changes in our system. This series of policy briefs explores the stresses on our social contract, and the policy changes that must be made to mend it. The six-part series includes:

• Overview: The Great Recession exposes flaws in the American Social Contract.

• Economic Security Policies are too closely tied to employment.

• America’s weak unemployment insurance safety net.

• Problems with a state-based social welfare system.

• The regressive delivery of social welfare benefits in the U.S. (Revised)

• The American dream of asset ownership is vulnerable when bubbles burst.

*Valuable research assistance for this series provided by Benjamin Kolansky.