Book chapter
States of welfare: decentralization and its consequences in US social policy
Handbook on Urban Social Policies, pp.352-368
Research Handbooks in Urban Studies series, Edward Elgar Publishing
07/22/2022
DOI: 10.4337/9781788116152.00034
Abstract
This chapter describes the predominantly federal-state relations that structure social safety net policies in the US. The empirical focus is on ten safety net programs targeted to economically marginalized families that allow states substantial discretion in financial, administrative, or rulemaking. Using a unique state-level dataset that includes indicators of two key dimensions of social provision (the generosity of benefits and inclusiveness of receipt) for each program annually from 1994 to 2016, this chapter analyses the consequences of state discretion looking specifically at the level of cross-state inequality in provision and whether state discretion is tied to a reduction in provision (race to the bottom) or a greater match between need and provision (local responsiveness). These generosity and inclusion measures do not translate cleanly to local jurisdictions in the US, and the chapter offers some thoughts on the implications of local discretion and "second order" devolution.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- States of welfare: decentralization and its consequences in US social policy
- Creators
- Sarah K BruchColin Gordon
- Resource Type
- Book chapter
- Publication Details
- Handbook on Urban Social Policies, pp.352-368
- Series
- Research Handbooks in Urban Studies series
- DOI
- 10.4337/9781788116152.00034
- Publisher
- Edward Elgar Publishing; Cheltenham, UK
- Number of pages
- 17
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 07/22/2022
- Academic Unit
- History; Public Policy Center (Archive)
- Record Identifier
- 9984315758702771
Metrics
116 Record Views