The unintended consequences of social transfer programs: Effects on conflict, governance, and social cohesion

While the role of social transfers in reducing poverty and encouraging welfare-enhancing behaviors is well-established, emerging evidence shows that they also significantly impact both political and social attitudes and behaviors. This article undertakes a systematic review of the quantitative evide...

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Main Authors: Kosec, Katrina, Mo, Cecilia Hyunjung
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: Annual Reviews 2025
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/175428
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author Kosec, Katrina
Mo, Cecilia Hyunjung
author_browse Kosec, Katrina
Mo, Cecilia Hyunjung
author_facet Kosec, Katrina
Mo, Cecilia Hyunjung
author_sort Kosec, Katrina
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description While the role of social transfers in reducing poverty and encouraging welfare-enhancing behaviors is well-established, emerging evidence shows that they also significantly impact both political and social attitudes and behaviors. This article undertakes a systematic review of the quantitative evidence on these typically unintended impacts, highlighting a broad set of outcomes related to both citizen–citizen (horizontal) and state–citizen (vertical) relationships. We identify mixed findings. Although social transfers have been shown to enhance political engagement, institutional trust, and social cohesion, other studies suggest they may undermine these outcomes. We highlight key factors that may explain these varied findings, highlighting both characteristics of the recipients as well as features of the governance and the programs themselves.
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spelling CGSpace1754282025-12-08T09:54:28Z The unintended consequences of social transfer programs: Effects on conflict, governance, and social cohesion Kosec, Katrina Mo, Cecilia Hyunjung poverty welfare social protection conflicts governance While the role of social transfers in reducing poverty and encouraging welfare-enhancing behaviors is well-established, emerging evidence shows that they also significantly impact both political and social attitudes and behaviors. This article undertakes a systematic review of the quantitative evidence on these typically unintended impacts, highlighting a broad set of outcomes related to both citizen–citizen (horizontal) and state–citizen (vertical) relationships. We identify mixed findings. Although social transfers have been shown to enhance political engagement, institutional trust, and social cohesion, other studies suggest they may undermine these outcomes. We highlight key factors that may explain these varied findings, highlighting both characteristics of the recipients as well as features of the governance and the programs themselves. 2025-10-06 2025-07-01T13:46:01Z 2025-07-01T13:46:01Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/175428 en https://doi.org/10.1111/ajps.12767 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2018.08.020 https://doi.org/10.1093/wber/lhac030 Open Access Annual Reviews Kosec, Katrina; and Mo, Cecilia Hyunjung. 2025. The unintended consequences of social transfer programs: Effects on conflict, governance, and social cohesion. Annual Review of Resource Economics 17: 467-491. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-resource-112923-094210
spellingShingle poverty
welfare
social protection
conflicts
governance
Kosec, Katrina
Mo, Cecilia Hyunjung
The unintended consequences of social transfer programs: Effects on conflict, governance, and social cohesion
title The unintended consequences of social transfer programs: Effects on conflict, governance, and social cohesion
title_full The unintended consequences of social transfer programs: Effects on conflict, governance, and social cohesion
title_fullStr The unintended consequences of social transfer programs: Effects on conflict, governance, and social cohesion
title_full_unstemmed The unintended consequences of social transfer programs: Effects on conflict, governance, and social cohesion
title_short The unintended consequences of social transfer programs: Effects on conflict, governance, and social cohesion
title_sort unintended consequences of social transfer programs effects on conflict governance and social cohesion
topic poverty
welfare
social protection
conflicts
governance
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/175428
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