Abstract
The 1990s played host to the most significant changes in the American welfare system in the last fifty years— in particular, states were granted much wider latitude in deciding who is eligible to receive welfare. Taking advantage of these changes, we examine the linkage between lower class turnout and state adoption of restrictive welfare eligibility requirements after the passage of the historic welfare reform legislation of 1996. We find that in states where lower class turnout was relatively high, lawmakers were much less likely to pass a range of “get tough” welfare rules. Our findings provide novel support for the importance of electoral mobilization in helping the lower class achieve policies consistent with their interests. However, we also uncover evidence consistent with a “group threat” hypothesis in that states with larger lower class populations tended to adopt more restrictive welfare rules.
Document Type
Research Paper
Publication Date
2003
Discussion Paper Number
DP 2003-04
Repository Citation
Avery, James M. and Peffley, Mark, "Lower Class Mobilization and State Welfare Policy in the Era of Welfare Reform" (2003). University of Kentucky Center for Poverty Research Discussion Paper Series. 81.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/ukcpr_papers/81
