Designed as a supplemental text for courses in Public Policy, Still Artful Work: The Continuing Politics of
Social Security Reform provides a focused, up-to-date case study of the public policy decision-making process within
the American political framework. Author Paul Light skillfully outlines the issues, the actions, and the results
of decisions which have contributed to the making and re-making of Social Security reform, demonstrating throughout
the complexity of the process of social change.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction
PART I: SEPARATE POWERS
Chapter 2: A Leaderless Branch
Chapter 3: The One-Shot Presidency
PART II: THE OBSTACLES
Chapter 4: A Social Security Primer
Chapter 5: The Politics of Assumptions
Chapter 6: Public Opinion, Ready or Not
Chapter 7: The Hired Guns
PART III: THE CRISIS
Chapter 8: The Social Security Bust
Chapter 9: Solutions for a Package of Pain
PART IV: ARTFUL WORK
Chapter 10: Reagan Moves In
Chapter 11: Congress Sets a Deadline
Chapter 12: A New Form of Government
Chapter 13: An Election Break
Chapter 14: Commission-itis
Chapter 15: The Flight of the Phoenix
Chapter 16: A Legislative House of Cards
Chapter 17: Finishing Touches
PART V: CONCLUSION
Chapter 18: Making Tough Choices in the American System
PART VI: EPILOGUE
Chapter 19: Success!!
Chapter 20: The Next Social Security Crisis
