Social science for what?: Philanthropy and the social question in a world turned rightside up

O'Connor critically analyzes the intertwined roles of social science and philanthropy in shaping U.S. public policy during the 20th century. The book explores how philanthropic foundations influenced academic research agendas and subsequently impacted responses to the "social question" of inequality and justice. It examines how foundations moved from direct social reform to more "value-neutral" academic inquiry and argues for a return to a more committed approach to social reform by progressive philanthropic research foundations.