Comparative Social Welfare Policy

4 credits

Provides an overview of how governments develop and administer policy aimed at providing a basic floor for human welfare and insuring citizens against economic risk. We discuss the historical emergence of social welfare policies, such as pensions, unemployment, nutrition support, and direct transfers. We emphasize political explanations for variation in program funding mechanisms. We then explore the consequences for economic competitiveness and political stability. Prerequisites: GPCO 453 or consent of instructor.