All terms in this list:

welfare state: a social system in which the state takes overall responsibility for the welfare of its citizens, providing health care, education, unemployment compensation and social security

social welfare policy: The regulations of the provision of benefits to people who require assistance in meeting their basic life needs.

in-kind benefits: Non-cash goods or services provided by the government that functions as a proxy for cash, for example: food stamps, section 8 housing vouchers and medicare.

Democratic capitalism: The type of political economy characteristic of the United States with a democratic policy and a capitalist economy.

supply-side economics: A branch of economics that focuses on the supply side of the economy and proposes reductions in social programs so that tax dollars can be reinvested in the private sector to capitalize economic growth... "trickle down"

social justice: Connotes equity and fairness in all areas of social political and economic life, as well as the provision of basic necessities to all without regard to their participation in the market... an objective of liberals and progressives.

conservetisim: A disposition in politics to preserve what is established, preferring gradual development to abrupt change.

Libertarianism: A political philosophy maintaining that all persons are the absolute owners of their own lives, and should be free to do whatever they wish with their persons or property, provided they allow others the same liberty

mixed welfare ecomomy: An economy in which governmental, private nonprofit and private for-profit providers of social welfare coexist within the same society.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families: (TANF) Instituted in 1996, was included as part of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PROWA). It's a block grant program based on workfare, time-limited benefits (a maximum of 5 years) and strict work participation rates.

Ideology: A set of socially sanctioned assumptions, explaining how the world works and encompassing a society's general methods for addressing social problems.

Keynesian Economics: An economic school that proposes government intervention in the economy through such activities as social welfare programs to stimulate and regulate economics growth.

socialism: Any of various political philosophies that support social and economic equality, collective decision-making, and public control of productive capital and natural resources, as advocated by socialists.

neoliberalism: A political movement that espouses economic liberalism as a means of promoting economic development and securing political liberty.