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Income inequality is unrelated to perceived inequality and support for redistribution

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  • Kris‐Stella Trump

Abstract

Objectives This study aims to contribute to our understanding of the relationship between income inequality, perceptions of income inequality, and support for redistribution. In particular, it asks whether income inequality affects support for redistribution by influencing perceptions of inequality. Methods This study combines the pay ratio measures from the International Social Survey Project with income inequality measures from the Standardized World Income Inequality Database. The analysis proceeds in three steps, asking whether (1) inequality is related to perceived inequality, (2) perceived inequality is related to preferences for inequality, and (3) perceived inequality is related to support for redistribution. Results Income inequality is unrelated to perceptions of inequality. Perceptions of inequality strongly predict preferred inequality, reinforcing the prior conclusion that anchoring effects likely cause this close relationship. Perceptions of inequality also predict support for redistribution. However, because actual inequality is unrelated to perceived inequality, there is no link between actual inequality and either preferred inequality or support for redistribution. Conclusion The overall pattern of results is consistent with the interpretation that perceptions of income inequality may be politically co‐determined with support for inequality and redistribution, instead of perceptions being mental antecedents of these attitudes.

Suggested Citation

  • Kris‐Stella Trump, 2023. "Income inequality is unrelated to perceived inequality and support for redistribution," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 104(2), pages 180-188, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:socsci:v:104:y:2023:i:2:p:180-188
    DOI: 10.1111/ssqu.13269
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David Macdonald, 2019. "Labor Unions and Support for Redistribution in an Era of Inequality," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 100(4), pages 1197-1214, June.
    2. David Macdonald, 2020. "Class Attitudes, Political Knowledge, and Support for Redistribution in an Era of Inequality," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 101(2), pages 960-977, March.
    3. Trump, Kris-Stella, 2018. "Income Inequality Influences Perceptions of Legitimate Income Differences," British Journal of Political Science, Cambridge University Press, vol. 48(4), pages 929-952, October.
    4. Engelhardt, Carina & Wagener, Andreas, 2014. "Biased Perceptions of Income Inequality and Redistribution," VfS Annual Conference 2014 (Hamburg): Evidence-based Economic Policy 100395, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    5. Lall, Ranjit, 2016. "How Multiple Imputation Makes a Difference," Political Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 24(4), pages 414-433.
    6. Kuhn, Andreas, 2019. "The subversive nature of inequality: Subjective inequality perceptions and attitudes to social inequality," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 331-344.
    7. Nathan J. Kelly & Peter K. Enns, 2010. "Inequality and the Dynamics of Public Opinion: The Self‐Reinforcing Link Between Economic Inequality and Mass Preferences," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 54(4), pages 855-870, October.
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    2. Senlin Li & Le Zhang & Yiying Sun & Fulin Li, 2024. "Revealing the impact of individual income inequality on different types of charitable giving in China through social interactions," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 105(4), pages 1351-1367, July.
    3. Busemeyer, Marius R. & Giger, Nathalie & Wehl, Nadja, 2024. "Individual ideology and biased perceptions of income," Working Papers 21, University of Konstanz, Cluster of Excellence "The Politics of Inequality. Perceptions, Participation and Policies".
    4. Martin Brun & Xavier Ramos, 2025. "Attitudes to income inequality and redistribution," Working Papers 33, Finnish Centre of Excellence in Tax Systems Research.

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