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Noblesse Oblige? Preferences for Income Redistribution among Urban Residents in India

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Author Info

  • Takahiro Ito

    (Graduate School for International Development and Cooperation, Hiroshima University)

  • Kohei Kubota

    (Faculty of Education, Art and Science, Yamagata University)

  • Fumio Ohtake

    (Institute of Social and Economic Research, Osaka University)

Abstract

Using an original dataset, we investigate the determinants of individual preferences for income redistribution in India. Our results suggest that the preferences of Indians for income redistribution are not really based on monetary motives. We found that people who have had negative experiences or perceptions of their future economic situation favour greater redistribution and people in a good economic (past, current, and future) condition also show a favourable attitude towards redistribution. In short, economically advantaged people seem to behave in a socially responsible manner. This 'noblesse oblige' effect can be explained mostly by prevalent social and religious beliefs.

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File URL: http://ir.lib.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/metadb/up/ZZT00001/IDEC-DP2_01-8.pdf
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Bibliographic Info

Paper provided by Hiroshima University, Graduate School for International Development and Cooperation (IDEC) in its series IDEC DP2 Series with number 1-8.

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Length: 35 pages
Date of creation: Dec 2011
Date of revision: Mar 2013
Handle: RePEc:hir:idecdp:1-8

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Web page: http://www.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/en/idec/
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Keywords: Government redistribution of income; Social preference; Relative economic position; Noblesse oblige; India;

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References

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  1. Fumio Ohtake & Jun Tomioka, 2004. "Who Supports Redistribution?," The Japanese Economic Review, Japanese Economic Association, vol. 55(4), pages 333-354.
  2. Rodrik, Dani & Alesina, Alberto, 1994. "Distributive Politics and Economic Growth," Scholarly Articles 4551798, Harvard University Department of Economics.
  3. Erzo F. P. Luttmer, 2001. "Group Loyalty and the Taste for Redistribution," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 109(3), pages 500-528, June.
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