UA History Professor Writes New Book on Fraternal Societies and Social Warfare

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Dr. David T. Beito, assistant professor in The University of Alabama history department, has written the book From Mutual Aid to the Welfare State: Fraternal Societies and Social Services, 1890-1967 (University of North Carolina Press).

“I think the book fills a gap in our understanding of the history of social life and welfare system in America,” Beito said.

In the book, Beito explored the history and impact of fraternal societies in the United States and sought to uncover the importance they had in the development of the social and fiscal lives of many American families.

Robert D. Putnam of Harvard University described the book as an “original, highly readable contribution to at least two lively scholarly debates – one on the evolution of social welfare provision and the second on the history of civic associations and social capital.”