This AEI Events Podcast features conservative scholars discussing the history and potential return of the welfare-reform-focused movement known as compassionate conservatism. Marvin Olasky of World Magazine began with remarks on the history of compassionate conservatism, particularly during the early 2000s, and offered insight into the movement’s missteps. He emphasized the importance of values and local decision-making in implementing welfare programs and discussed the political factors that undermined compassionate conservatism. Dr. Olasky then moderated a panel of experts, who discussed their views and experience with welfare and the compassionate conservatism movement.

AEI’s Ryan Streeter discussed compassionate conservatism in the context of a broader agenda focused on civil society and community empowerment, particularly at the state level. He emphasized the importance of understanding the conditions that allowed compassionate conservatism to succeed initially. Christopher Fay of Homestretch discussed his experience working in homeless assistance. He lamented the bureaucratic barriers attached to government grants that, he argued, held back welfare programs by preventing work requirements and housing cost-sharing. AEI’s Angela Rachidi discussed her experience working in government agencies and emphasized the importance of balancing government assistance with personal responsibility, arguing that this ethos was shared by many poverty programs but absent in other programs.

This event took place on March 29, 2018.

Watch the full event here.

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