Who Speaks for the Poor

the long version

"How do the interests of the poor gain representation in the political process? This is the central question of R. Allen Hays's study on the role of interest groups in policymaking. Focusing on three sub-issues of social policy - housing, nutrition, and welfare - Hays illustrates the indirect representation that occurs with the help of the interest group system. Drawing on surveys and congressional and interest group theory, Who Speaks for the Poor? presents evidence of how the frequency of testimony relates to influence in policymaking and shows the ways in which the needs of the poor get attention from policymakers."--BOOK JACKET.