The Geography of White Opposition to Welfare

Abstract

This chapter applies the book's conceptualization of a subjective White perspective to the quantitative racial threat hypothesis, specifically reexamining the relationship between local geography and White opposition to welfare spending. The chapter first traces the interlinked histories of residential segregation, Black poverty, and the racialization of welfare. It then uses national survey data to show that a large Black population in an area amplifies the effect of traditional stereotypes on White welfare preferences, whereas a high poverty rate amplifies the effect of racial resentment. In both cases, racial attitudes are more predictive of White welfare preferences not simply where welfare's stigmas are salient due to racial or economic geography, but more specifically where segregation makes Black or poor households more visible to Whites. Furthermore, racially tolerant White people may be more likely to support welfare spending in settings where race or poverty is more salient (i.e., settings often considered "threatening'').