2002 AP. Gov’t Response Question #2
Roxanne LaRaia
a.) Describe what the figure above demonstrates about the
distribution of government benefits over time
b.) identify two politically relevant factors that have affected the
changing distribution of government benefits between children
and elderly
c.) explain how each of the 2 factors identified in (b.) has
affected the changing distribution of government benefits
Part A.
a.) Describe what the figure above demonstrates about the
distribution of government benefits over time
 Clearly, Social Welfare has been distributed unequally. Giving
the elderly more Welfare than children. Children were
originally given a high percentage and decreased while the
elderly started off with a low percentage and increased. In
1979 the distribution was equal however it continued and is a
seemingly constant or continuing trend towards the end of the
graph.
Part B.
b.) identify two politically relevant factors that have affected
the changing distribution of government benefits between
children and elderly
 The increasing elderly population vs. low birth rates
 Increasing life expectancy
Other possible answers:
 Children cannot vote and aren’t politically active
 Popular interest groups for elderly (AARP)
 Awareness of the issues for the elderly
Part C.
c.) explain how each of the 2 factors identified in (b.) has
affected the changing distribution of government
benefits
 Rising elderly population  increasing number of elderly
people receiving benefits
 Increasing life expectancy  put pressure on the interest
groups such as AARP, require more funding for each year
considering health risks.