Politics of poverty in Arkansas : a decision-making study.

Poverty in Arkansas, as elsewhere in the nation, is a severe blight upon the social, economic, and political structures of society. Focussing upon this national problem, the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 proposed solutions to poverty. Community Action Agencies, a creation of the Act, were charged with the responsibility of mobilizing local resources to combat poverty. Since the inception of the poverty program, there have been challenges to its continued existence. President Nixon's attempted dismantlement of the Office of Economic Opportunity and the ensuing court battle represent the most significant challenge to date. Having a vested interest in the continuation of OEO, the personnel of Community Action Agencies joined the struggle for survival, not only at the national level, but also at the state level. The administrators of the nineteen anti-poverty agencies in Arkansas were forced to search for alternative sources to federal funding. Directors of the agencies considered both state and local funding approaches. Deciding to approach the Arkansas Legislature, the directors attempted to draft legislation that would secure continued funding for their agencies. Various approaches and group demands were considered. This study analyzes these approaches and demands, and, hopefully, serves to illustrate the enormous political and bureaucratic problems that must be dealt with in coping with a problem as pervasive and as complex as poverty in Arkansas.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A.

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Grantor

Baylor University.

Year dc:date.issued

1976

Author dc:creator

• Chambers, Thomas W., 1942-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Edwards, Charles S., 1928-

• Political science.

Statement dc:rights

• Baylor University works are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact libraryquestions@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/2104/13544

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:baylor-ir.tdl.org:2104/13544