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Does Positional Concern Matter in Poor Societies? Evidence from a Survey Experiment in Rural Ethiopia

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  • Akay, Alpaslan

    (University of Gothenburg)

  • Martinsson, Peter

    (University of Gothenburg)

  • Medhin, Haileselassie

    (University of Gothenburg)

Abstract

We investigated attitudes toward positionality among rural farmers in Northern Ethiopia, using a tailored survey experiment. On average, we found positional concerns neither in income per se nor in income from aid projects among the farmers. These results support the claim that positional concerns are positively correlated with absolute level of income of a country.

Suggested Citation

  • Akay, Alpaslan & Martinsson, Peter & Medhin, Haileselassie, 2009. "Does Positional Concern Matter in Poor Societies? Evidence from a Survey Experiment in Rural Ethiopia," IZA Discussion Papers 4354, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp4354
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    positional concern; relative income; Ethiopia;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C90 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - General
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement

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