Bigger government makes for more satisfied people, study finds

Yes, but my point is that a lot of people will look at that 49% figure and think it is all welfare queens. That number is going to grow larger with our aging population.

From this *professor’s* bio....

Patrick Flavin, Ph.D.

Dr. Patrick Flavin, assistant professor of political science at Baylor, is an expert in political behavior.

Flavin studies American politics, particularly political inequality, government representation of public opinion, political behavior, quantitative methods and the impact of political processes on citizens’ quality of life.

Flavin comes to Baylor from the University of Notre Dame where his dissertation, Political Inequality in the American States, examines why the political opinions of poor citizens are underrepresented in the policy decisions made by state governments. He was also the recipient of the Eli J. and Helen Shaheen Graduate School Award in the Social Sciences at Notre Dame.

His research using data from the World Values Survey’s 2005 study found that people living in countries with governments that have a greater number of social services report being more satisfied with life. His findings were published in an issue of the journal Politics & Policy.

He has a dozen peer reviewed publications, book reviews, an entry in the International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences, multiple papers under review and has participated in over 20 conference paper presentations. He has also been referenced as an expert on political campaigns.

He received his bachelor’s from University of St. Thomas, and both his master’s and Ph.D. from University of Notre Dame.

Here are some of his *writings*...

Forthcoming: “Assessing the Impact of the Size and Scope of Government on Human Well-Being.” Social Forces (with Alexander C. Pacek and Benjamin Radcliff).
Forthcoming: “Direct Democracy and Political Equality in the American States.” Social Science Quarterly.
2014: “The Political Foundations of the Black-White Education Achievement Gap.” American Politics Research 42(1): 3-33 (with Michael T. Hartney).
2013: “Religion and Government Corruption in the American States.” Public Integrity 15(4): 329-43 (with Richard Ledet).
2013: “Policy Representation and Evaluations of State Government.” State and Local Government Review 45(3): 405-12.
2012: “Does Higher Voter Turnout Among the Poor Lead to More Equal Policy Representation?” Social Science Journal 49(4): 405-12.
2012: “Two Distinct Concepts: Party Competition in Government and Electoral Competition in the American States.” State Politics & Policy Quarterly 12(3): 330-42 (with Gregory Shufeldt).
2012: “Life Satisfaction and Political Participation: Evidence from the United States.” Journal of Happiness Studies 13(1): 63-78 (with Michael J. Keane).
2012: “Income Inequality and Policy Representation in the American States.” American Politics Research 40(1): 29-59.

*****

Wonder who provides his grants, for his *studies*.

Turning Baylor blue :(

Let me guess - written by a liberal who believes in global warming and uses similar ‘research methods’...

My husband has Parkinson's and is on permanent SS/Disability income. So I completely understand what you are saying. He did work full time for decades, and paid quite a bit of tax money into the SS system. And, we have our servicemen & women -- they paid into the system with their lives and their sacrifices, defending this nation. These are NOT "professional" (lifelong) welfare recipients, or Takers. They both paid in and made sacrifices for the benefits they have EARNED.

4L