Changes

A '''subsidy''' is a payment or [[tax break]] by [[government]] (usually [[big government]] such as the [[Federal government]]) to certain [[business]]es or to the [[states]] to help them survive or to give them a competitive advantage or to "bribe" them.  Sometimes the subsidy can be direct, as in the case of [[agricultural subsidy|cash payments to farmers]], and sometimes it can be indirect, as in the case of building the [[Railway history#United States|transcontinental railroad]].

A '''subsidy''' is a [[Grant-in-aid]] or [[tax break]] by [[government]] (usually [[big government]] such as the [[Federal government]]) to certain [[business]]es or to the [[states]] to help them survive or to give them a competitive advantage or to "bribe" them.  Sometimes the subsidy can be direct, as in the case of [[agricultural subsidy|cash payments to farmers]], and sometimes it can be indirect, as in the case of building the [[Railway history#United States|transcontinental railroad]].

Subsidies can also be given out by individuals or non-governmental institutions, but this is more commonly referred to as [[charity]].

Subsidies can also be given out by individuals or non-governmental institutions, but this is more commonly referred to as [[charity]].