Poverty in America Lecture

Poverty in America - Saul O Sidore Lecture Series - A Two Part Lecture
Part I: Who Shall Assist the Poor? An Inquiry into the Role of Markets, Private Charity and Government Preceding Dustin’s talk, Dr. Birch will give an overview of a paper he wrote dealing with the problems associated with assisting the poor. The paper uses the writings of Adam Smith, The Wealth of Nations and The Theory of Moral Sentiments, to frame some of the economic, psychological and ethical issues regarding how best to assist the poor. Using Smith’s own economic and ethical thought and invoking the work of modern economists (e.g., the concept of "public goods") a case is made for the government to assist the poor although the precise type of assistance and the complementary role of private charity and markets is a fertile topic for debate. Presented by Tom Birch, Associate Professor of Economics 
Part II: Children Are Poor Because the Mothers Are Poor Drawing upon 25 years of welfare advocacy work in NH, Sara Dustin will discuss the interplay between the very low status our society assigns to welfare mothers and the increasing poverty of their children. 
To bring the attitudes and prejudices that underlie our current public welfare policies to light, Dustin will conduct some interactive thought experiments with the audience during her talk. For example, she will ask the audience to think about how our welfare policies would change if we came to view young women raising small children alone as performing a vital labor service that is fundamental to the functioning of our economy and society.  Presented by Sara Dustin, UNH Manchester student. Free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.  Please call 603-641-4306 at least three weeks in advance if you need special accommodations.  Events will be cancelled if UNH Manchester is closed due to inclement weather. Call the snow line for closures, 641-4100  Location:third floor auditoriumContact:Kim Wall 603-641-4306