Fighting poverty in the US and Europe. A world of difference

Abstract:

The redistribution of wealth is a consistent element of European politics, albeit to differing levels of government intervention, and broadly constitutes the welfare state. Whereas in the US questions might be raised about the state of welfare, the answers reflect a widespread disaffection for the welfare state. This work explores the difference in attitudes towards wealth redistribution found in Europe and the US.

The book is organised over six substantive chapters plus an introduction and conclusion. Chapter two examines the data for redistribution in Europe and the US. Chapter three considers the economic explanations, while chapter four looks at the role of political institutions in redistribution. Chapter five seeks an explanation of the difference between European and American political institutions by exploring their origins. Chapter six considers the factor of racial heterogeneity in the explanation of the gaps between European and United States welfare spending. The ideology of redistribution and the differing attitudes to the fate of the poor are explored in chapter seven. The conclusion draws together the findings of earlier chapters and suggests that the differing attitudes towards poverty and wealth distribution might well spill over into other areas of policy differences.

The work will interest scholars and students, researchers and policy makers engaged in the fields of economics and welfare programmes.

Alberto Alesina is Nathaniel Ropes Professor of Political Economy at Harvard University. He is a Research Associate for the National Bureau of Economic Research and for the Centre for Economic Policy Research.

Edward L. Glaeser is a Professor of Economics at Harvard University and a Research Associate for the National Bureau of Economic Research.