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Three Key Feature of US welfare policy Public attitude- who deserves to benefit Timing of the Welfare state Federalism.

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Presentation on theme: "Three Key Feature of US welfare policy Public attitude- who deserves to benefit Timing of the Welfare state Federalism."— Presentation transcript:

1 Three Key Feature of US welfare policy Public attitude- who deserves to benefit Timing of the Welfare state Federalism

2 Patterns of Policy-Making Majoritarian; entitlement every benefits, everyone pays No means test Social Security, Medicare Client based few benefit, almost everyone pays Means tested Medicaid, Food Stamps, AFDC Political Implications

3 Social Security Previous system FDR Plan Insurance for unemployed and elderly AFDC assistance for blind, dependents Different administration and eligibility standards

4 AFDC: Erosion of Consensus Increased federal requirements increase costs to states Public opinion sours Changing composition of AFDC recipients

5 Client Politics benefits of proposal go to a relatively small group, but the public at large pays Initially uncontroversial Politics depends on legitimacy of recipients AFDC recipients lose legitimacy

6 Majoritarian Politics Requires popular and elite views Once passed, becomes politically invulnerable Save social security and medicare remain good politics unless costs to voters exceed their benefits

7 1996 Welfare Reform Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act Block grants Time limits Work requirements

8 Interpreting Welfare Reform Balancing the budget Not much saving Poor bear brunt for budget cuts; are 24% of non defense spending, but 53% of reductions Shredding the safety net? State benefits varied under AFDC Federal spending on poor not ended

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10 Conclusion Popular approval for social welfare programs is a function of benefits and costs SS widely distributed benefits and costs, creates majoritarian politics AFDC- narrowly distributed benefits; depends on public’s perception of worthiness/deserving of recipients Save SS; End Welfare as we know it

11 Implications Is bad policy good politics Means testing social security Assistance for college Middle Class entitlements Politically more attractive, also more expensive


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