Bouncing Back: The Role of Social Safety Nets

Published: July 25, 2017

Social safety nets exist to help those who have fallen on hard times. However, when poorly designed they can lead to long-term dependence. It is crucial to design social safety nets to encourage people to transition from government assistance back into the workforce.

Discussion Questions

1. How can we create effective social safety nets?
2. Besides helping people from falling deeper into poverty, what are some other benefits of social safety nets?

Additional Resources

• Read “The Great U.K. Depression: A Puzzle and Possible Resolution” by Harold L. Cole and Lee E. Ohanian to learn more about the United Kingdom’s experience after WWI due to poorly designed social safety nets.