Although social legislation in the United States is always in the tradition of social reform rather than fundamental social change, the 1960s are considered a progressive period because of the union of government and societal obligations; class consciousness was aroused, and the redistribution of power and resources were salient issues. In Civil Rights and the Social Programs of the 1960s, Marcia Bok describes the background, analyzes the process of decision making, and traces the passage of selected landmark decisions of the 1960s. She tracks the changes that have occurred in this legislation in the last two decades, and discusses the current and possible future status of social policies and programs.

The legislation examined is chosen for its diversity and reflection of Great Society programs, and includes: The Civil Rights Act, 1964; The Community Mental Health Centers Act, 1963; The Economic Opportunity Act, 1964; Medicare and Medicaid, 1965; and Head Start, 1965. Bok considers the concepts of equality and social justice as the bases for the social legislation discussed, and includes analysis of historical, political, and legal aspects of the civil rights movement and concurrent events.