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From Mutual Aid to the Welfare State - by David T Beito (Paperback)
About this item
Highlights
- During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, more Americans belonged to fraternal societies than to any other kind of voluntary association, with the possible exception of churches.
- About the Author: David T. Beito is assistant professor of history at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
- 336 Pages
- Political Science, Public Policy
Description
About the Book
From Mutual Aid to the Welfare State: Fraternal Societies and Social Services, 1890-1967Book Synopsis
During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, more Americans belonged to fraternal societies than to any other kind of voluntary association, with the possible exception of churches. Despite the stereotypical image of the lodge as the exclusive domain of white men, fraternalism cut across race, class, and gender lines to include women, African Americans, and immigrants. Exploring the history and impact of fraternal societies in the United States, David Beito uncovers the vital importance they had in the social and fiscal lives of millions of American families.Much more than a means of addressing deep-seated cultural, psychological, and gender needs, fraternal societies gave Americans a way to provide themselves with social-welfare services that would otherwise have been inaccessible, Beito argues. In addition to creating vast social and mutual aid networks among the poor and in the working class, they made affordable life and health insurance available to their members and established hospitals, orphanages, and homes for the elderly. Fraternal societies continued their commitment to mutual aid even into the early years of the Great Depression, Beito says, but changing cultural attitudes and the expanding welfare state eventually propelled their decline.
Review Quotes
[He] has captured one of the most important ways lodges [lifted] people up, which was to give them a shield against destitution and dependency.
"The Washington Monthly"
ÝBeito¨ convincingly argues that fraternal organizations embodied values that appealed to a broad range of Americans.
"American Historical Review"
ÝHe¨ has captured one of the most important ways lodges Ýlifted¨ people up, which was to give them a shield against destitution and dependency.
"The Washington Monthly"
Beito's history is fascinating and instructive in itself, but it is also well-presented.
"Wall Street Journal"
It has insights especially for sociologists interested in social movements, voluntary organizations, social work, empowerment, and American social history.
"American Journal of Sociology"
"[He] has captured one of the most important ways lodges [lifted] people up, which was to give them a shield against destitution and dependency.
"The Washington Monthly""
"Beito's history is fascinating and instructive in itself, but it is also well-presented.
"Wall Street Journal""
"It has insights especially for sociologists interested in social movements, voluntary organizations, social work, empowerment, and American social history.
"American Journal of Sociology""
[Beito] convincingly argues that fraternal organizations embodied values that appealed to a broad range of Americans.
"American Historical Review"
A wonderful book. .
"Harvard Business History Review"
About the Author
David T. Beito is assistant professor of history at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.