Social security and physical quality of life in developing nations: A cross-national analysis

Abstract

Much research has been done assessing cross-national variation in level of social security program development, but very little analysis has been done of the link between social security development and social welfare outputs such as physical quality of life. There is much debate as to whether any independent effect remains once differences in level of development are taken into consideration. Hypotheses derived from several general theories of inequality and welfare state development are tested. The analysis is based in part on a cross-sectional sample of 80 developing nations and in part on a pooled sample for 1970 and 1975. We find strong support for hypotheses derived from industrialism theory and demographic modernization theory. In addition we find support for hypotheses derived from dependency theory and ethnic conflict theory and some effect for social security spending. Also of note is our failure to find support for hypotheses derived from democratic theory or class (working class strength) theory.