Date of Award

Spring 2019

Thesis Type

Open Access

Degree Name

Honors Bachelor of Arts

Department

Agricultural Economics

Sponsor

Dr. Anca Voicu

Committee Member

Dr. Harry Kypraios

Committee Member

Dr. Phil Kozel

Abstract

As developing countries increasingly integrate themselves into the global economy, increased social spending is desirable to protect their vulnerable groups from rapid changes experienced by the economy associated with increased openness. However, while developed nations are largely successful in maintaining and increasing their social spending as a response to globalization, the case with developing countries is usually the opposite. We find that key determinants of this divergence between developing and developed countries stems from factors such as the extent of surplus and informal labor, quality of democracy and democratic institutions, and the power of unions. As India further integrates into the global economy, it can maintain its social spending by expanding its employment guarantee programs such as NREGA, and work to bridge the gap between formal and informal workers.

Rights Holder

Ansh Jain

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