Assignment 2: Income Support Policies

Assignment 2 Income Support Policiesin This Assignment You Must Exam

In this assignment, you must examine the philosophical underpinnings of the economic system and its relationship to ethics and social justice by examining income support policies. You will also view the socially constructed ways of developing and distributing resources and implementing societal values. You will examine the “problem of justice" by considering the following: The distribution of goods and services, an individual’s share in goods and services, and the allocation of rights and duties.

Research income support policies using your textbook, the Argosy University online library resources, and the Internet. Select two policies for examination from the list that follows. You can select from other types of income support policies; however, be sure to submit your choices to the facilitator for validation before continuing with this assignment. Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

Then, compare and contrast the selected income support policies. Address the following: List and describe each income support policy’s target population, means of funding, and intended outcomes. Explain the positions a conservative politician or commentator, and a liberal politician would take on the policy. Address anything they might have in common ideologically and also describe their differences. Give reasons and examples in support of your analysis. Write a 2–3-page paper in Word format. Apply APA standards to citation of sources.

Paper For Above instruction

The issue of income support policies fundamentally reflects the philosophical tensions between societal values related to justice, equality, and individual responsibility. Specifically, policies such as Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) exemplify different approaches to supporting vulnerable populations, and examining these policies reveals underlying societal and ideological beliefs about resource distribution and collective responsibility.

Social Security is a federal program primarily designed to provide retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. Its target population includes the elderly, disabled individuals, and their dependents. Funding for Social Security comes chiefly from payroll taxes collected under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA). The intended outcomes are to provide financial stability and reduce poverty among the elderly and disabled, ensuring a basic level of income in old age or during periods of incapacity (Social Security Administration, 2023). From a conservative perspective, Social Security is often viewed as a vital safety net that encourages fiscal responsibility and self-reliance, emphasizing the importance of individual savings through personal retirement accounts or privatization options. Conversely, liberals tend to view Social Security as a fundamental social contract that promotes social justice by providing a guaranteed income floor, advocating for expansion to include broader benefits (Brown & Potoski, 2019).

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) targets low-income elderly, blind, and disabled individuals, regardless of their work history. It is funded through general revenue, primarily financed by broad-based taxation rather than payroll taxes. SSI aims to alleviate poverty among marginalized populations by providing cash assistance to meet basic needs such as food, shelter, and healthcare (Social Security Administration, 2023). Conservatives often see SSI as an inefficient program that can create dependency, advocating for stricter eligibility criteria or work requirements. Liberals, however, regard SSI as essential for social equity, supporting increased benefits and expanded eligibility to ensure vulnerable populations are protected from poverty (Hout & Boushey, 2013). Clearly, ideological differences revolve around perceptions of government intervention and individual responsibility versus collective welfare.

Both policies share a common goal of mitigating poverty and providing financial security, yet they differ significantly in their target populations, funding mechanisms, and ideological underpinnings. While Social Security emphasizes providing income during aging or disability, SSI focuses on alleviating poverty among the most economically marginalized groups. Conservatives tend to favor market-based or privatized approaches to retirement savings and limit the scope of social welfare programs, whereas liberals advocate for expanded social safety nets driven by government intervention to promote social justice. Recognizing these contrasting perspectives underscores the influence of philosophical beliefs about justice and society’s role in resource distribution (Dewey, 2018). Effective policy development requires understanding these ideological nuances and fostering dialogue that seeks common ground for pragmatic solutions that balance individual responsibility with societal support.

References

• Brown, K., & Potoski, M. (2019). Social policy and political ideology: An analysis of the welfare policies. Journal of Social Policy, 48(2), 239-258.
• Dewey, J. (2018). Ethics and social justice: Philosophical foundations of welfare policy. New York: Routledge.
• Hout, M., & Boushey, H. (2013). Poverty, welfare, and social justice in America. Harvard University Press.
• Social Security Administration. (2023). Social Security: Benefits and programs. Retrieved from https://www.ssa.gov