Jacob S. Hacker

A growing number of politicians advocate the involvement of religious or “faith-based” organizations in helping juvenile delinquents, prisoners, and families attempting to get off welfare, notes Jacob S. Hacker in the following viewpoint. However, Hacker questions the efficacy of such groups and whether private religious groups can truly replace the government in providing for the social welfare of people in need. Hacker researches and writes about social welfare policy for the New America Foundation, a public policy institute.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. Why are so many politicians calling for increased government reliance on religious organizations, according to Hacker?
2. What differences does the author describe between conservative and liberal advocates of faith-based organizations?
3. How much money is spent on government social programs compared with that spent by religious...