The Evolution of the Concept of the Welfare State in the United States since 1890

This thesis is concerned with an examination of the major political ideas involved in the growing controversy over the welfare state. An effort will be made to describe systematically the development of these ideas in the United States since 1890. The complex of policies, ideas, and notions commonly identified with the concept of the welfare state will be analyzed carefully in order to ascertain their relationship to economic programs in the realm of practical politics, our contemporary politics, and the structure and operation of the national government.