Sentence:  One thing which this study makes evident is that the Welfare State fantasy is usually conjured up by some scheming politician posing as a public benefactor and using "<WSD>bread and circuses</WSD>", paid for by the people's own money, to buy the support of the populace. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  Grand spectacles staged or statements made to distract and pacify people.