Why is in-kind aid a prominent feature of welfare systems? We present a lab-in-the-field experiment involving members of the general U.S. population and SNAP recipients. After documenting a widespread desire to limit recipients’ choices, we quantify the relative importance of (i) welfarist...

This paper analyzes the significance and effectiveness of social spending targets in IMF-supported programs in Sub-Saharan Africa from 2002 to 2024. It highlights the evolution of these targets, particularly following the 2009 reform of IMF’s facilities for low-income countries, reflecting a...