The Truly Disadvantaged: Structuring an Agenda for Change

This manuscript addresses the question as to how we may best structure an agenda for change aimed at improving the economic situation for the truly disadvantaged. I have chosen to address this question within the limits set by existing political circumstances. Policy proposals are presented because they are believed to be achievable and would be effective if implemented. It is impossible to think about this question without considering the proposals presented by William J. Wilson in his pathbreaking book, The Truly Disadvantaged (1987). Consequently, I briefly describe the intellectual context within which Wilson wrote his book and analyze the basic assumptions which underlay his proposals. On the whole, I believe Wilson\u27s analysis to be sound and the proposals that he presents to be invaluable. Nevertheless, there are some difficulties with his formulation of the problem. Some of his assumptions are flawed and, consequently, his proposals, while pointed in the right direction, do not go far enough