Working Paper: NBER ID: w14825
Authors: Alberto F. Alesina; Paola Giuliano
Abstract: This paper discusses what determines the preferences of individuals for redistribution. We review the theoretical literature and provide a framework to incorporate various effects previously studied separately in the literature. We then examine empirical evidence for the US, using the General Social Survey, and for a large set of countries, using the World Values Survey. The paper reviews previously found results and provides several new ones. We emphasize, in particular, the role of historical experiences, cultural factors and personal history as determinants of preferences for equality or tolerance for inequality.
Keywords: No keywords provided
JEL Codes: I38
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| individual income (D31) | preferences for redistribution (D39) |
| race (J15) | preferences for redistribution (D39) |
| gender (J16) | preferences for redistribution (D39) |
| education + political ideology (I24) | preferences for redistribution (D39) |
| historical experiences (B15) | preferences for redistribution (D39) |
| cultural factors (Z10) | preferences for redistribution (D39) |