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Can Welfare Policy Make Use Of Social Norms?

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  • Edward J. Bird

Abstract

Recent literature in social policy proposes that problems like poverty can be reduced by strengthening community norms and other forms of social capital. This paper presents a simple model of social norms, and explores the effects and counter-effects of anti-poverty policies on poverty-related norms. The basic result is to show that the norm system may react in unintended ways: a policy of cutting welfare grants in order to reduce the welfare caseload, for example, can lessen the stigma shown against the poor, in certain cases enough to cause caseloads to rise instead of fall. As a result, strengthening community norms may in some cases do more to frustrate the intentions of policy-makers than to satisfy them.

Suggested Citation

  • Edward J. Bird, 1999. "Can Welfare Policy Make Use Of Social Norms?," Rationality and Society, , vol. 11(3), pages 343-365, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ratsoc:v:11:y:1999:i:3:p:343-365
    DOI: 10.1177/104346399011003004
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    Cited by:

    1. Edward Castronova, 2004. "Social Norms and Sexual Activity in U.S. High Schools," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 39(4).
    2. Bird, Edward J. & Kayser, Hilke & Frick, Joachim R. & Wagner, Gert G., 1999. "The Immigrant Welfare Effect: Take-Up or Eligibility?," IZA Discussion Papers 66, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    3. Agnès Festré, 2010. "Incentives And Social Norms: A Motivation‐Based Economic Analysis Of Social Norms," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 24(3), pages 511-538, July.

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    Keywords

    norms; poverty; welfare policy;
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