The purpose of this collection of 12 readings is to: 1) familiarize students with the general characteristics of groups occupying varying positions along the political spectrum; 2) present the opinions of several representatives of these viewpoints on the welfare state issue; and, 3) enable students to form their own informed and unemotional opinion of the welfare state. An introductory chapter attempts to clarify the labels: radical, liberal, conservative, and reactionary; sets out general characteristics of the far right and far left; offers a rational definition of the welfare state; and presents arguments on both sides of the issue. Readings include those by Juanita Kidd Stout, Hubert Humphrey, Senator Herbert Lehman, and the Chamber of Commerce of the U.S. Questions to stimulate thought and discussion are provided with each reading. Six exercises are interspersed throughout the booklet. Among these are four exercises in critical thinking, namely in differentiating between: fact and opinion, provable and unprovable statements, bias and reason, and cause and effect. Another exercise is designed to encourage the ability to empathize, and a final one asks students to identify the political positions of individuals and organizations in this issue. For further reading, a selected bibliography is appended of periodicals on the left and right. (JLB)