Résumé:
With a vision to redefine the relationship between government and civil society, the FaithBased and Community Initiative under President George W. Bush marked a turning point in
the integration of religious organizations into federal social welfare programs. The present
research explores the historical and conceptual development of social welfare in the United
States, highlighting the longstanding moral and material contributions of faith-based
organizations. It examines how these institutions transitioned from informal community actors
to formal policy partners, particularly in response to political shifts and constitutional
negotiations. The study provides a detailed analysis of the evolution of welfare policy across
presidential administrations, emphasizing the increasing space granted to religious voices in
public service. Central to this work is an investigation into how the Bush administration
institutionalized faith-government partnerships, and what legal, political, and ethical
challenges emerged in the process. Additionally, this research evaluates the outcomes and
implications of faith-based initiatives on welfare delivery, both domestically and
internationally. Through this historical and analytical approach, the dissertation offers insights
into the changing boundaries of church and state in the pursuit of social justice in a
democratic society.
