Tax Burden, Tax Types, and Public Support for Social Welfare Programs

Hang Qi, Elizabeth I. Dorssom, Department of Government and Public Administration, University of Macau, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Lincoln University of Missouri, Jefferson City

American Politics Research

Published online on May 16, 2026

Abstract

American Politics Research, Volume 54, Issue 5, Page 638-651, September 2026.
Tax proceeds provide the funding base for the welfare state. However, little is known about how taxes affect public support for welfare programs. We contend that the design features of the tax sources of welfare programs can affect Americans’ welfare ...