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Assessing the Effects of District-Level Segregation on Meritocratic Beliefs in Germany

Author

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  • Nicole Oetke

    (Institute of Sociology, Technical University Berlin, 10587 Berlin, Germany
    Funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation)—Project-ID 290045248—SFB 1265.)

  • Maria Norkus

    (Institute of Sociology, Technical University Berlin, 10587 Berlin, Germany
    Funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation)—Project-ID 290045248—SFB 1265.)

  • Jan Goebel

    (SOEP, DIW Berlin, 10108 Berlin, Germany
    Funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation)—Project-ID 290045248—SFB 1265.)

Abstract

In recent years, researchers have grappled with the phenomenon that public demand for redistribution has not systematically increased in response to rising inequality. Meritocratic beliefs have been suggested as an explanation for this observation, because they can help legitimize inequalities. Past research has identified local-level inequality, segregation, or diversity as important factors for how these beliefs might be formed and maintained. Different theoretical approaches have been advanced and tested to determine the direction and extent of these effects, producing mixed results. We put these theories to the test by focusing on a country in which changes in the level of inequality have indeed been met with equal changes in justice perceptions: Germany. Furthermore, we broaden the scope by focusing on local segregation between different socioeconomic status groups, rather than income inequality. To do so, we utilize geocoded individual-level data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP), microm data, and relevant geospatial indicators from the INKAR database. We find some indication that residential segregation of status groups and isolation of high status groups is associated with less support of meritocratic beliefs, contradicting previous work. Additionally, we find evidence of urban–rural differences in the effects of segregation.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicole Oetke & Maria Norkus & Jan Goebel, 2023. "Assessing the Effects of District-Level Segregation on Meritocratic Beliefs in Germany," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-29, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:12:y:2023:i:7:p:376-:d:1180790
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Markus M. Grabka & Carsten Schröder, 2019. "The Low-Wage Sector in Germany Is Larger Than Previously Assumed," DIW Weekly Report, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research, vol. 9(14), pages 117-124.
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    6. Windsteiger, Lisa, 2022. "The redistributive consequences of segregation and misperceptions," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
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