Social Spending and GDP

Updated 4/10/2010: Reading through some of the research, I can see where some in society could use it to promote religion as a fix for the current economic state, particularly the psychological. There is, however, some contradictory evidence for an honest discussion.

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Perspective on a Tea Party!

I found this graphic in a paper “Religion and Preferences for Social Insurance” published in the Quarterly Journal of Political Science, 2006, 1:255-286, written by Kenneth Scheve and David Stasavage.

It was also reproduced in a presentation lecture by Roland Bénabou, 2007, Groupthink and Ideology. 

GDP and Social Policy

Reported importance of religion from a statistical sample of opinion from the populations!

Self-Identification (Form) - My Thoughts

Updated April 19, 2010: Not sure how I left China off the original list but it was indeed an innocent oversight.

Self-Identification (Form)

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I have published a few posts regarding my perspective on self-identification and the following form reflects my thoughts about it. Based upon the personal profiles I have seen on multiple web pages, there does not appear to be enough flexibility in how we (U.S.) collect and aggregate data relative to how we identify ourselves. I am sure the form could be shortened, but I did not want to possibly exclude an option without knowing which selection would not be used.

Health Care and Income - Comparative Analysis

Reading the BBC News article “Healthcare around the World” made me curious about the possible shared cost profiles relative to the United States for the listed countries’ versions of Universal Healthcare. I made some simple assumptions based upon the noted per capita expenditures for each of the four countries to split costs between the Private Sector (non-government Employers providing coverage) and individual employees. In the event that the individual does not have employer provided coverage, the cost of care would be subsidized.

Analysis based upon these assumptions reveal that individuals around the world still bear the larger burden of cost at rates relatively close to U.S. employees (exception: Singapore). And, the Private Sector (non-government Business / Employers) stands to benefit about $3,000 per employee from reductions in healthcare costs in alignment with the compared nations.

Healthcare and 2008 Per Capita Income (Slides)

Further analysis using the calculated cost sharing and applied against per capita mean income provides some insight into the struggles of most American families. Some general points to keep in mind while reviewing the comparison include:

• Mean Income represents Gross Income before taxes;

• The basis of earnings analysis is MEAN INCOME, no adjustments for geographical locations or earnings distribution [Median income less than average];

• No adjustment for population concentrations in higher cost of living locations [Asian, Pacific Islanders on West Coast];
• BBC News reported per capita healthcare expenditure was used with Private Sector covering 52.8% and individuals responsible for the remainder at 47.2%;
• Healthcare adjusted income comparison reflects a male and female household within a given ethnicity;
• Analysis population = People 15 years old and over beginning with March 1980;
• Majority of Hispanics and Blacks in the analysis are High School Graduates or in High School (education opportunity):

The Gender, Per Capita Mean Income graphic analysis was created to reflect the limits of the Segmented Assimilation argument which maintains the distribution status quo. Make of it what you will! But, it should be viewed in context with my previous posts: Judgments, Gatekeepers, Self-Identity Recognition, and Integrative Social and Economic Systems.

Healthcare Around the World

BBC News August 19, 2009 article on Healthcare comparisons of expenditure.

Integrative Social and Economic Systems

Societal behavioral norms have been shaped over time through the civilization cycles. Early civilizations were not very sexually inhibitive as evidenced in the ancient artifacts currently displayed in museums around the world. In these early Egyptian, Greek, and Roman cultures women were expected to be dedicated to their husbands. While male sexual promiscuity was acceptable behavior resulting from dominance based upon physical strength and fighting abilities.

The evolution of democratic societies as currently reflected in the U.S. has given women equal rights as men. Advanced technologies and machinery have replaced the required “brute” physical strength to accomplish tasks and placed a premium on mental and intellectual abilities. Equal recognition of ability and responsibility has progressed and eventually equal opportunity and compensation will follow. Marriage is no less important to American values than any other culture. However, the arrangement is becoming as much an economic decision as one of moral expectation. The marriage commitment comes with an expectation consistent with the politically expressed American Dream of a house with backyard and kids. The conservative social structure I briefly identify in blog posts Judgments and Character and Gatekeepers and Modes of Incorporation attempt to maintain historical segments within the society. Just for the sake of declaration, I do not belong nor do I intend to become part of the socially promoted segmented fraternal structure (particularly, any supported by Southern influenced frat collaborations with other “family” values separatists). If the objective is to create and maintain stability in society through committed marital unions, then placing restrictive boundaries and conditional exclusions are not warranted. The segmented social philosophy is a remnant of the early civil rights’ struggles and creates current day relationship obstacles.

Slides:  Married Couples in United States 2006, Updated                          2008 Per Capita Mean Income Analysis (Race and Gender)

Comparatively, the U.S. economic system is a more dynamic, evolved, and inclusive environment with substantial measurements of integrated success. Capitalist markets operate on the assumption of capital allocated to its best and most productive usage with limited restrictions. The system allows capital to flow freely around the world through all cultures and communities to find the best match of opportunities and goals successfully uniting supply with demand. So, in a segmented social group where one gender outnumbers another (more supply over demand), what should happen with the excess “supply”? Could these imposed barriers be the cause of unwanted behaviors? When women outnumber men within a segment more time is spent “rent seeking” a partner and as competition increases within the segment, male promiscuity most likely increases.

The philosophical capitalist (free market) social model allows more freedom to cross boundaries for better balancing of match opportunities for stronger, intimate commitments. Adding to the issue of segmentation are the subjective individual moral behavior judgments affecting opportunities. The impacts are somewhat reflected in national employment rates and other factors further compounding imbalances. Removing social barriers (stigmas) and allowing a free, open market for marriage selection (true natural selection) could increase the desired goal believed to create a more stable society of commitment.
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[update August 2014]