Working Paper: NBER ID: w8903
Authors: Price V. Fishback; Shawn Kantor; John Joseph Wallis
Abstract: We examine the importance of Roosevelt's 'relief, recovery, and reform' motives to the distribution of New Deal funds across over 3,000 U.S. counties, program by program. The major relief programs most closely followed Roosevelt's three R's. Other programs were tilted more in favor of areas with higher incomes. For all programs spending for political advantage in upcoming elections was a significant factor. Roosevelt's successful reelections were based on developing specific programs for a broad range of constituents, delivering on his stated goals, but also spending more at the margin for political purposes.
Keywords: No keywords provided
JEL Codes: D78; E62; H50; N42
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| New Deal programs (H53) | areas most in need (I32) |
| political motives (D72) | allocation of funds (I22) |
| income levels (J31) | program funding decisions (I22) |
| local political pressures (D72) | distribution of New Deal funds (H84) |
| state government attitudes (H70) | distribution of New Deal funds (H84) |
| New Deal spending (H56) | economic needs (P36) |