Lecture 6 Glaeser Flashcards
(26 cards)
What is the central question Alesina and Glaeser explore in their book?
Why does the United States spend so much less on welfare than European countries, despite similar levels of economic development.
What are the key explanations Alesina and Glaeser offer for differences in welfare spending between the US and Europe?
They highlight the role of race, political institutions, historical path dependency, and public attitudes toward redistribution.
How does racial heterogeneity affect welfare policy, according to Alesina and Glaeser?
Greater racial diversity in the US leads to less support for welfare policies, as people are less willing to redistribute to those seen as ‘different’.
What role do political institutions play in shaping welfare outcomes, according to the authors?
European systems with PR and multi-party coalitions are more favorable to redistributive policies, unlike the US majoritarian system.
How does the US’s use of a presidential system impact welfare policy?
It concentrates veto power and makes policy change more difficult, reducing the likelihood of large welfare expansions.
Why is path dependency important in understanding welfare differences?
Once institutions and welfare policies are in place, they shape public expectations and future political behavior, reinforcing differences.
How do Alesina and Glaeser explain the role of ideology in shaping welfare policy?
They argue Americans tend to view poverty as the result of individual failure, while Europeans are more likely to see it as a structural issue.
What empirical methods do Alesina and Glaeser use to support their claims?
They use cross-national data, historical analysis, and surveys on public opinion toward redistribution.
What is one major consequence of lower welfare spending in the US identified by the authors?
Higher levels of poverty and inequality, especially among minority groups.
How do the authors challenge the idea that economic globalization forces convergence in welfare policy?
They argue that despite global pressures, political and cultural factors lead to persistent divergence in welfare systems.
What is the significance of the American ‘deserving vs undeserving poor’ narrative?
It reduces public support for welfare, particularly when recipients are racialized or perceived as morally unworthy.
How does Alesina and Glaeser’s argument contribute to institutional theories in comparative politics?
They show how institutional design (e.g., electoral rules, federalism) affects redistributive capacity and political coalitions.
What do the authors conclude about the feasibility of ‘importing’ European-style welfare to the US?
They are skeptical, due to entrenched institutions, racial divisions, and ideological resistance.
What is the logic behind the ‘institutionalist’ theory of welfare state development?
Institutionalist theory argues that existing political institutions shape welfare outcomes by determining how interests are aggregated and policies enacted.
How does the ‘power resources’ theory explain welfare state development?
It holds that the strength of organized labor and left-wing parties determines the level of welfare state generosity.
What critique does Alesina & Glaeser offer against purely economic explanations of welfare state variation?
They argue that cultural and racial divisions, not just economic conditions, play a crucial role in shaping welfare preferences and policies.
Why is the U.S. welfare state considered less generous than that of Europe?
Because it offers lower levels of redistribution, limited public services, and a stronger focus on means-testing.
What institutional features in the U.S. reduce welfare generosity?
Federalism, a presidential system with strong veto points, and winner-takes-all elections constrain redistributive policies.
How does public opinion about welfare differ between Americans and Europeans?
Americans are more likely to attribute poverty to individual failings, while Europeans tend to see it as a societal issue.
What are the three main models of European welfare states?
Liberal (e.g., UK), Corporatist (e.g., Germany), and Social Democratic (e.g., Sweden).
How do corporatist and social democratic models differ?
Corporatist systems emphasize insurance-based benefits tied to employment, while social democratic models provide universal, tax-funded services.
What makes Scandinavian welfare states distinct?
They combine universalism with high levels of redistribution and strong labor market policies.
What is ‘welfare chauvinism’?
The idea that welfare benefits should be restricted to ‘deserving’ members of the national community, often excluding immigrants or minorities.
How has welfare chauvinism influenced recent policy changes in Europe?
Some states have tightened eligibility, linked benefits to citizenship, or emphasized workfare to limit access for outsiders.
