Essay #1: Compare and contrast strengths and problem-centered perspectives in politics? What is the most appropriate forces perspective for social policy? The strengths-based policymaking perspective is the notion that all social protection problems can be solved only by studying those affected by the problem. This approach involves identifying the problem itself, which may stem from “educational, political, and economic exclusion based on demographics rather than individual characteristics” (Chapin 1995; Tice and Perkins 2002). This policy hopes to do this through participatory action research, which involves people being educated, researching and eradicating proven processes. This involves qualitative analysis of interviews and personal surveys to “determine whether customer needs are being met” (Tice and Perkins 2002). This political perspective believes that by empowering people and allowing them to evaluate their problems and solve them accordingly. The problem-centered approach is the opposite of the strengths-based approach. He believes that due to the flaws of capitalism, social inequalities exist. “The problem-centered approach to social policy development begins with a definition of the problem that translates into social policies and, therefore, programs and services” (Tice and Perkins 2002). The problem-centered method believes that experts and those trained to do so can only solve these problems. Intervention is also considered the best method to resolve problems. By collecting quantitative data, they believe that if there is a problem, it will be reflected in the data. This method is considered the most disempowering because it aims to help those in the middle of the paper through policies. Another important goal of the Progressive Era was to protect workers' rights through policy. implementation such as the minimum wage law and the formation of unions. With the establishment of these policies, standards were raised and the issues people faced in their employment were no longer an issue due to the representation they now had. A child labor policy was also implemented at this time, as 1 in 6 children were in paid employment during this time. Because of the number of exploited children, “agents of the conditions of the poor…or individuals working for social betterment, all see in children the possibility of constructive altruism” (Tice and Perkins 2002). By adding social work and social work practices through policy reform, they were able to rid the nation of the unfortunate child labor mentalities of the past..