Public Attitudes toward Social Welfare Expenditures

The author analyzes public attitudes toward social welfare spending in the United States between 1976 and 1982. Survey data indicate that, although opposition to social welfare spending has lessened, there is a limit to the public's willingness to be taxed for social welfare. This appears to be particularly true when there is a perceived competition between military spending and social welfare spending and when social welfare spending is seen as benefiting minorities.