This Handbook provides an authoritative overview of the relationship of poverty in the US with the rise of neoliberal capitalism and globalization. Key issues examined include: income distribution, employment, health, hunger, housing, social justice and human rights frameworks and the role of professions such as social work, health and education. "This Handbook is a treasure trove. Yes, it marshals the data on U.S. poverty, providing an indispensable reference guide. Even more valuably, it theorizes U.S. poverty anew, demonstrating how U.S. destitution and its "surplus populations" are shaped by neoliberalism's global projects and logics, its economic mandates and powers of enforcement. The Handbook is thus also a compendium of knowledge for all who fight to end poverty. This is the book I want my students to have as they work in impoverished communities. It is also the book that all scholars of poverty and globalization will need to keep ready to hand." - Mark Lewis Taylor, Religion and Society, Princeton Theological Seminary "I've always maintained that the most effective way to transform our urban schools is to fight to eliminate poverty. Unless we challenge the exploitation of humanity by capitalism we will lose the battle to save our schools. This outstanding volume presents the necessary evidence to make this case. Any program of education that ignores this landmark text does so at its own peril." - Peter McLaren, Distinguished Professor in Critical Studies, College of Education, Chapman University and Co-Director of the Paulo Freire Democratic Project "This important book reframes the causes and consequences of poverty, and efforts to address them, in its ideological and global context. The editors and authors have extensive experience and expertise, and add mightily to our understanding of poverty as a field of practice and subject of study." - Barry Checkoway, Professor of Social Work and Urban Planning, University of Michigan