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Mobility Comparisons: Theoretical Definitions and People’s Perceptions

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  • Michele Bernasconi

    (Department of Economics, University Ca’ Foscari of Venice, Cannareggio 873, 30121 Venezia, Italy)

  • Giulio Cinquanta

    (Department of Economics, University Ca’ Foscari of Venice, Cannareggio 873, 30121 Venezia, Italy)

  • Valentino Dardanoni

    (Department of Economics, Business and Statistics, University of Palermo, Ed. 13, Viale delle Scienze, 90128 Palermo, Italy)

  • Vincenzo Prete

    (Department of Law, University of Palermo, Piazza Bologni 8, 90128 Palermo, Italy)

Abstract

Comparing mobility is an important but controversial issue. In this paper, we argue that in a specific and relevant case, there exists a univocal and non-controversial definition of greater (exchange) mobility that allows for unambiguous comparisons. We conducted a questionnaire experiment to investigate whether people’s perceptions of social mobility align with this definition, and we found that people’s choices are broadly in line with the theoretical predictions.

Suggested Citation

  • Michele Bernasconi & Giulio Cinquanta & Valentino Dardanoni & Vincenzo Prete, 2025. "Mobility Comparisons: Theoretical Definitions and People’s Perceptions," Games, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-21, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jgames:v:16:y:2025:i:3:p:24-:d:1651396
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Miles Corak, 2013. "Income Inequality, Equality of Opportunity, and Intergenerational Mobility," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 27(3), pages 79-102, Summer.
    2. Fields, Gary S. & Ok, Efe A., 1996. "The Meaning and Measurement of Income Mobility," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 71(2), pages 349-377, November.
    3. Alesina, Alberto & La Ferrara, Eliana, 2005. "Preferences for redistribution in the land of opportunities," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 89(5-6), pages 897-931, June.
    4. Gary S. Fields, 2019. "Concepts of social mobility," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2019-106, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
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