A discussion of the implementation of welfare reform in North Carolina, exploring theories of welfare reform implementation and of bureaucratic power. It examines the political capacity of the bureaucracy to influence policy implementation contrary to legislative intent.

The implementation of welfare reform in North Carolina provided an opportunity to explore theories of welfare reform implementation and theories of bureaucratic power. While welfare reform implementation proceeded smoothly in many states, the unique political climate in North Carolina in 1996 forced a more transparent view of bureaucratic development and growing political independence. The political capacity of the bureaucracy to influence policy implementation contrary to legislative intent is often discussed but infrequently documented, and this work opens this subject for additional debate.

A reluctant beginning
the politic of welfare reform
how a bill becomes law
North Carolina's welfare reform statute
inside the black box of politics
implementation
the fat lady finally sings.