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The Role of Stigma in the Design of Welfare Programs

Author

Listed:
  • Tomer Blumkin

    (Department of Economics,Ben-Gurion University of the Negev)

  • Efraim Sadka

    (The Eitan Berglas School of Economics, Tel Aviv University)

  • Yoram Margalioth

    (The Buchman Faculty of Law, Tel-Aviv University)

Abstract

We consider the notion of welfare stigma ? la Besley and Coate (1992b). This stigma is attributed to welfare claimants by society when they are perceived as undeserving in the sense that they falsely claim to be eligible for welfare benefits. However, due to imperfect information, this stigma may be extended, with some probability, to all welfare claimants. We examine the implications of this kind of stigma for the design of welfare programs.

Suggested Citation

  • Tomer Blumkin & Efraim Sadka & Yoram Margalioth, 2008. "The Role of Stigma in the Design of Welfare Programs," Working Papers 0806, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:bgu:wpaper:0806
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    File URL: http://in.bgu.ac.il/en/humsos/Econ/Workingpapers/0806.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Sell Friedrich L., 2011. "Scham- und Schuldgefühl: Zur ökonomischen Bedeutung zweier kulturell motivierter Emotionen / Shame and Guilt: On the economic meaning of two emotions gained with culture," ORDO. Jahrbuch für die Ordnung von Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft, De Gruyter, vol. 62(1), pages 387-404, January.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Welfare; Take Up; Targeting; Inequality; Stigma;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H2 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue
    • D6 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics

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