Final answer:
Stoke's reference to the U.S. attitude towards the social safety net is largely connected to values of individualism and personal responsibility which can sometimes conflict with public assistance programs, but strong safety nets may also encourage less market regulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Stoke, the commonly held value that explains many of the trends in U.S. attitudes toward the social safety net is the value of individual enterprise and responsibility. This viewpoint posits that public assistance programs go against American values, as it is believed recipients prefer to rely on government help rather than seek employment. Many see welfare as detrimental to personal responsibility, and often it is distributed with strict requirements. On the other hand, robust social safety nets can also have positive economic implications. They may lead to less regulation of the market economy because individuals feel protected against personal financial crises and are, therefore, more open to market forces operating without government interference. A well-funded social safety net can create a positive correlation between equality and economic output, as shown by an upward-sloping section of the production possibility curve (PPF).