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An experimental test of the validity of survey-measured political ideology

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  • Maité Laméris
  • Richard Jong-A-Pin
  • Rasmus Wiese

Abstract

We examine the predictive validity of survey-measured left-right politicalideology by testing whether this measure is able to explain observed choices regarding equality versus efficiency. We study this in a real-effort distributionexperiment, in which decision-makers allocate money equally or efficiently. Wedistinguish between decision-makers that receive ‘manna-from-heaven’ and decision-makers that have earned the money to be distributed in a real effort task. We find that, conditional on entitlement concerns, self-reported right-wing ideology significantly predicts preferences for efficiency. Reported left-wing ideology does not have predictive value in explaining preferences for equality.

Suggested Citation

  • Maité Laméris & Richard Jong-A-Pin & Rasmus Wiese, 2018. "An experimental test of the validity of survey-measured political ideology," Working Papers CEB 18-025, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    • Handle: RePEc:sol:wpaper:2013/273513
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Political ideology; Survey measurement; Predictive validity; Distribution experiment; Real effort;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution

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