POLS 071 Chapter Notes - Chapter April 9th Readings: Social Capital, Wealth Inequality In The United States
12 Apr 2019
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Why some democracies redistribute more than others, iverson. Meltzer richard model states that the median voter will push for redistributive spending up to the point where the benefit of such spending to the median is outweighed by the costs. Implies redistribution is greater in democracies than in nondemocracies. Redistribution is a function of government policies: policies reflect the preferences of politicians therefore differences in government partisanship affect redistribution. Government partisanship is determined by differences in coalitional dynamics of different electoral systems. Parties represent classes, so they cannot credibly deviate from the preferences of constituents when campaigning. In two party majoritarian system, the center right party more likely to win and will redistribute less: parties can"t commit so the median voter faces low taxes if center right wins. The left party would implement higher taxes and increase redistribution to low income groups because of their poor/working class base. Female labor force participation and unemployment are associated with increased redistribution.
