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Title: How Johnson Fought the War on Poverty: The Politics and Economics of Funding at the Office of Economic Opportunity

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2014

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Abstract: The successes and failures of President Lyndon Johnsons War on Poverty have been debated for decades. This paper contributes a novel quantitative analysis to the vast historical literature on the War on Povertys political economy. We find that the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) overwhelmingly directed its funds toward high-poverty areas, while also investing in Democratic strongholds and areas with bigger swings in favor of the Democrats in the 1964 Presidential election. Finally, we find quantitative support for Alston and Ferries hypothesis about the role of the Southern paternalism in shaping the modern U.S. welfare state.

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Authors: Duquette, Nicolas; Bailey, Martha J.

Periodical (Full): Journal of Economic History

Issue: 2

Volume: 74

Pages: 351-388

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Poverty and Welfare

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