This analysis of the growth of welfare spending examines the relative
impact of class and status groups versus demographic composition and
political structures. Special attention is given to the role of the aged
as representative of the importance of ascription and middle-class
groups in welfare growth, and to the effect of welfare spending on
income inequality. Aggregate cross-national data from the UN, ILO, and
the World Bank are analyzed and the conclusion is drawn that a large
aged population, especially in combination with democratic political
processes, is a direct and crucial influence on the level of welfare
spending.