Roxanne LaRaia 2002 AP. Gov’t Response Question #2

a.) Describe what the figure above demonstrates about the distribution of government benefits over time b.) identify two politically relevant factors that have affected the changing distribution of government benefits between children and elderly c.) explain how each of the 2 factors identified in (b.) has affected the changing distribution of government benefits

Part A. a.) Describe what the figure above demonstrates about the distribution of government benefits over time Clearly, Social Welfare has been distributed unequally. Giving the elderly more Welfare than children. Children were originally given a high percentage and decreased while the elderly started off with a low percentage and increased. In 1979 the distribution was equal however it continued and is a seemingly constant or continuing trend towards the end of the graph.

Part B. b.) identify two politically relevant factors that have affected the changing distribution of government benefits between children and elderly The increasing elderly population vs. low birth rates Increasing life expectancy Other possible answers: Children cannot vote and aren’t politically active Popular interest groups for elderly (AARP) Awareness of the issues for the elderly

Part C. c.) explain how each of the 2 factors identified in (b.) has affected the changing distribution of government benefits Rising elderly population  increasing number of elderly people receiving benefits Increasing life expectancy  put pressure on the interest groups such as AARP, require more funding for each year considering health risks.