Jim, This worries me: >My hypothesis is that the general rise of progressiveness from >1952 to 1975-6 is a result of the cold war and two major hot wars >(the need to legitimate the system in the eyes of the troops) >plus the relatively non-globalized status of the US economy at >the time (international competition was less important, making a >welfare state easier). Were any of the social democracies (e.g., in Scandinavia) ever so self-contained that they didn't face international competition? I don't think a purely "economic" explanation will cut it. BTW. Ian Gough argues along similar lines re. the distribution of state revenues and expenditures in _The Political Economy of the Welfare State_ Warm regards from Peace Dale. Marsh Feldman Phone: 401/874-5953 Community Planning, 204 Rodman Hall FAX: 401/874-5511 The University of Rhode Island Internet: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Kingston, RI 02881-0815
