50 Years After Launch of “War On Poverty,” Study Finds Safety Net Programs Have Had A Greater Impact Than Previously Thought
A new study released last week suggests that President Johnson’s War on Poverty may have been more successful than what history currently acknowledges. Researchers at Columbia University have found that government programs such as food stamps and unemployment insurance have played a major role in reducing the percentage of Americans in poverty, contradicting the official poverty rate, which suggests there has been no real decline in poverty since the mid-1960s. According to the study, these “safety nets” have helped reduce the percentage of Americans living in poverty from 26% in 1967 to 16% in 2012.
While government programs have had a heavy hand in keeping poverty rates in control, especially during economic downturns, the economy by itself has failed to improve the lives of the very poor over the past 50 years. Without taking into account the role of government policy, the study estimates that 29% more Americans would be in poverty today, compared with 27% in 1967.
The study comes at an important time in Washington, as both parties are in deep discussion over whether or not to trim spending on safety net policies like food stamps and long-term unemployment benefits. The study suggests that these government programs are essential to keeping lower poverty rates; however, it shows that little progress has been made on raising incomes over the past few decades. Congress must preserve the safety net while taking steps to make sure that lower-income Americans earn high enough wages to escape poverty. At the White House, the Administration has paid particular attention to the study, hoping that research like this can help them develop sound policies that can further lower the poverty rate in America. For more, check out this Washington Post article.