Age, Class, Politics, and the Welfare State (American Sociological Association Rose Monographs)

This analysis of the growth of welfare spending examines the relative impact of class and status groups versus demographic composition and political structures. Special attention is given to the role of the aged as representative of the importance of ascription and middle-class groups in welfare growth, and to the effect of welfare spending on income inequality. Aggregate cross-national data from the UN, ILO, and the World Bank are analyzed and the conclusion is drawn that a large aged population, especially in combination with democratic political processes, is a direct and crucial influence on the level of welfare spending. The authors analyze the relative impact of class and status groups versus demographic composition and political structures on the growth of welfare spending. Special attention is given to the role of he aged as they are representative of the importance of ascription and middle-class groups in welfare growth. Another focus of the study is the effect of welfare spending on income inequality. In this volume, the effects of class and status are compared to those of demographic composition and political structures, on the growth of welfare spending. Roles of the aged and the middle-class are considered, as well as income inequality. Data is provided by the World bank, the UN and ILO Fred C. Pampel, John B. Williamson. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 181-193)