Field:
    American Politics

Dissertation Title:
    Outsiders and the Welfare State: How Increased Ethnic Heterogeneity and Anti-immigrant Attitudes Affect Support for Welfare

Committee:
    Kathleen Bawn (Chair), Michael Thies, Tim Groeling, and David Sears

Date of Completion: June 2010

Contact Information:
    Rayna Flye
    UCLA Political Science Department
    4289 Bunche Hall
    Los Angeles, California 90095-1472
    Phone: 310-825-4331
    Fax: 310-825-0778

Curriculum Vitae:
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Writing Sample:
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Dissertation Summary:
    My dissertation addresses the relationship between diversity and support for welfare with the question: is support for the welfare state in the US and UK dependent upon who the perceived recipients are? I specifically examine whether negative attitudes towards out-groups (minorities) coupled with the belief that these groups disproportionately and undeservedly receive welfare benefits leads to a decrease in public support for welfare. I further argue that this is a message citizens are receiving from the media and right-wing politicians. I call this coupling of welfare with out-groups, or Others, the Otherization of Welfare. I examine not only race, but ethnicity, religion, and citizenship status as well. My dissertation employs a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods, including content analysis of newspapers and tabloids, and public opinion data.

Research Interests:
    American Politics, Race and Ethnic Politics, Political Behavior, European Politics

Teaching Interests:
    I have taught the following courses: Intro to American Politics, Diversity in Democracy, Intellectualism in the 1960s, and Community and Capital. I am interested in developing political behavior, Intro to Comparative, and methodology courses. I am comfortable with teaching interdisciplinary courses, and have training in teaching writing.