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Culture, diversity, and the welfare state

Author

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  • Gruendler, Klaus
  • Koellner, Sebastian

Abstract

We examine how cultural socialization and diversity influence welfare systems. Our sample includes 134 countries (1975-2014). We employ spatial patterns and biological characteristics as instrumental variables for culture. The results show that culture is an important predictor for the generosity of welfare states: welfare provision is higher in countries with loose family ties and individualistic attitudes, high prevalence of trust and tolerance, and low acceptance of unequally distributed power. These channels explain 20-50% of the cross-country variation in welfare provision. Cultural heterogeneity (diversity) influences redistribution non-linearly: moderate diversity levels impede redistribution, while higher levels offset the negative effect.

Suggested Citation

  • Gruendler, Klaus & Koellner, Sebastian, 2020. "Culture, diversity, and the welfare state," Munich Reprints in Economics 84739, University of Munich, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:lmu:muenar:84739
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    Cited by:

    1. Riccardo Bruni & Alessandro Gioffré & Maria Marino, 2025. "In‐group bias in preferences for redistribution: a survey experiment in Italy," Economica, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 92(367), pages 1009-1080, July.
    2. Benos, Nikos & Kammas, Pantelis, 2023. "The effect of ethnic diversity on the participation in social groups: Evidence from trade unions," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    3. Vu, Trung V., 2022. "Unbundling the effect of political instability on income redistribution," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    4. Nadia Jacobi & Vito Amendolagine, 2023. "What feeds on what? Networks of interdependencies between culture and institutions," Economia Politica: Journal of Analytical and Institutional Economics, Springer;Fondazione Edison, vol. 40(2), pages 371-412, July.
    5. ten Kate, Fabian & Klasing, Mariko J. & Milionis, Petros, 2023. "Societal diversity, group identities and their implications for tax morale," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 51(3), pages 1048-1067.
    6. Assmann, Daisy & Ehrl, Philipp, 2021. "Individualistic culture and entrepreneurial opportunities," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 188(C), pages 1248-1268.
    7. Amendolagine, Vito & von Jacobi, Nadia, 2023. "Symbiotic relationships among formal and informal institutions: Comparing five Brazilian cultural ecosystems," Economic Systems, Elsevier, vol. 47(3).
    8. Berggren, Niclas & Bergh, Andreas & Nilsson, Therese, 2025. "Periods of uncertainty are linked to greater acceptance of minorities," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 53(3), pages 772-785.
    9. Gutmann, Jerg & Marchal, Léa & Simsek, Betül, 2025. "Women’s rights and the gender migration gap," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).
    10. Nadia von Jacobi & Vito Amendolagine, 2022. "What Feeds on What? Networks of Interdependencies between Culture and Institutions," Working Papers 11, SITES.
    11. Muinelo-Gallo, Leonel, 2022. "Business cycles and redistribution: The role of government quality," Economic Systems, Elsevier, vol. 46(4).
    12. Voigt, Stefan & von Jacobi, Nadia, 2025. "Mapping Informal Institutions – a Global Dataset," ILE Working Paper Series 89, University of Hamburg, Institute of Law and Economics.
    13. Kyriacou, Andreas P., 2023. "Clientelism and fiscal redistribution: Evidence across countries," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H11 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Structure and Scope of Government
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • Z1 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics
    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution

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