“I Don't Agree with Giving Cashâ€: A Survey Experiment Examining Support for Public Assistance

Colin Campbell and S. Michael Gaddis

Social Science Quarterly, 2017, vol. 98, issue 5, 1352-1373

Abstract: Objective Existing research on support for anti†poverty programs largely focuses on broad categories of welfare. In this article, we examine variations in support across different public assistance programs. Methods We use an experimental survey design to examine whether support for public assistance is dependent on the type of aid offered. Results We find that programs that offer benefits in†kind are more popular than cash transfers. Moreover, food stamps and child†care subsidies enjoy more support than housing assistance. Open†ended survey responses show that when evaluating anti†poverty programs, respondents adopt one of two perspectives: (1) cash assistance is problematic but other forms of assistance are acceptable or (2) any assistance is problematic. Conclusion By too narrowly focusing on welfare, social scientists run the risk of developing theories and explanations that may not apply to the much larger part of the safety net that is delivered in†kind.

Date: 2017
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