social programs that work

The Miami Herald had an article yesterday that has two critical implications for this blog:

1. It is possible to increase the effectiveness of our social programs (government and philanthropic) by looking at which ones work best and funneling our money in those directions (i.e. data-driven funding).

2. Most of the listed programs are "teach them to fish" programs. All of them focus on literacy, job training, scholarships, etc. Programs that help people earn money, rather than give them stuff.

I am not surprised at all by this. But it is refreshing to see it in print.