Economic insecurity has made social welfare programs essential.

Context:

Recent decades have highlighted the importance of robust social safety nets to protect household finances during economic downturns.

Mechanism Overview

While many assume community networks would improve outcomes, this analysis finds that social capital often exacerbates economic instability across U.S. states (1986-2010).

Key Findings

* Social cohesion is linked to higher economic insecurity.

* There's no evidence these informal connections enhance welfare effectiveness as expected.

Greater government spending on select social programs can* offset negative effects of strong community ties.

Policy Implications

This suggests policymakers cannot simply rely on community networks alone; targeted financial investments are crucial for mitigating hardship.