The welfare state expansion long assumed as a response to mass unrest may be incorrect.

Testing Theories on Black Insurgency Response: This article examines US state responses during the 1960s and 1970s, testing competing theories that frame political action toward black insurgency. Using pooled time-series analysis, it explores two distinct perspectives: pluralist theory posits welfare expansion as a pacification tool; social control theory suggests incarceration rates increase to suppress unrest.

Key Findings: Contrary to expectations of widespread welfare increases during this period, the data strongly support higher incarceration levels rising in response to political violence. This finding aligns with the social control explanation while downplaying anticipated pluralist responses.