Not Only the Poor

<p>Originally published in 1987 <i>Not Only the Poor</i> explores the self-interested involvement of the non-poor in the welfare state particularly the middle class. Using evidence from Britain America and Australia they show that the non-poor were crucial in the founding of the welfare state and in all three countries the non-poor benefit extensively from key welfare programmes including those ostensibly targeted on the poor. Goodin and Le Grand conclude that the beneficial involvement of the non-poor in the welfare state is probably inevitable but this may be no bad thing depending on the alternative and on the nature of the egalitarian ideal adopted. </p>