Citation

Gallardo R, McThomas M. Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society 2012; 5(1): 115-128.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012)

DOI

10.1093/cjres/rsr015

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In this article, we present a metric to measure the level of 'care' provided by state policies. We have created an index, using state-level data from the USA, which operationalizes an institutional political theory of care. Using this political caring index, we provide data analysis of the impact of levels of care on such societal issues as suicide rates, high school dropout rates and violent crime. In doing so, we explore the relationship between 'caring' state policies and the prevention of social harms, assess the success of existing state policies and provide a new tool for evaluating public policy. © The Author 2011. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Cambridge Political Economy Society. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

United States; crime; violence; suicide; ethics; social policy; institutional framework; educational attainment; state role; welfare economics; welfare provision; care ethics; index; political caring; political theory; public policy; social issues; state policies; state-local relations