Disasters and social vulnerability determinants of federal subsidiarity assistance

Abstract

Subsidiarity assistance creates opportunities for the federal government to intervene in subnational affairs, supplement emergency response, and reduce jurisdictional vulnerabilities. Recognizing the differential effects that disaster events and revenue sharing could have on states, the research investigates the determinants of federal subsidiarity assistance grants to states in the context of American federalism. This study draws from disaster impact scholarship and social vulnerability theory for theoretical context to understand the determinants of short-term and long-term public assistance grants and intergovernmental transfers, which constitute federal subsidiarity assistance to subnational governments. Using panel data on 50 U.S. states over a 17-year time period, findings show that disasters trigger federal subsidiarity assistance for disaster-induced short-term and long-term public assistance grants; however, social vulnerability more likely explains intergovernmental transfers to states.