Rossi's Revenge
5 days ago
- #social policy
- #cash transfers
- #policy evaluation
- Guaranteed income pilots fail to show non-pecuniary benefits for participants.
- Studies indicate no improvements in mental health, stress levels, physical health, or child development from cash transfers.
- Recipients work slightly less but show no significant life satisfaction or broader financial improvement.
- Rossi’s Iron Law suggests large-scale social programs often have zero net impact.
- Historical context shows liberal optimism often clashes with policy evaluation realities.
- Different theories (Murray, Moynihan, Wilson) explain persistent social issues beyond lack of money.
- Neoconservatism critiques the effectiveness of social policy in changing people fundamentally.
- Cash transfers in developing countries show more benefits than in the U.S., possibly due to existing safety nets.