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GINI DP 6: Income Inequality and Participation: A Comparison of 24 European Countries

Author

Listed:
  • Bram Lancee

    (Research unit Migration, Integration, Transnationalization, Social Science Research Center Berlin (WZB))

  • Herman Werfhorst

    (FMG, Universiteit van Amsterdam)

Abstract

Previous research suggests that where inequality is high, participation is low. Two arguments are generally put forward to explain this finding: First, inequality depresses participation because people have diverging statuses and therefore fewer opportunities to share common goals. Second, people may participate more in social and civic life when they have more resources to do so. However, up till now, these explanations have been lumped together in empirical analyses. Using EU-SILC data for 24 European countries, we analyse how inequality in different parts of the income distribution is related to civic, cultural and social participation. Results indicate that a substantial part of the impact of inequality manifests itself through resources at the individual and societal level. However, independent of resources, it is still the case that higher inequality magnifies the relationship between income and participation. This is in line with a view that inter-individual processes explain why inequality diminishes participation.

Suggested Citation

  • Bram Lancee & Herman Werfhorst, 2011. "GINI DP 6: Income Inequality and Participation: A Comparison of 24 European Countries," GINI Discussion Papers 6, AIAS, Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Labour Studies.
  • Handle: RePEc:aia:ginidp:6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bradley Allsop & Jacqueline Briggs & Ben Kisby, 2018. "Market Values and Youth Political Engagement in the UK: Towards an Agenda for Exploring the Psychological Impacts of Neo-Liberalism," Societies, MDPI, vol. 8(4), pages 1-20, September.
    2. Silke Goubin, 2018. "Is Inequality a Latent Construct? An Assessment of Economic Inequality Indicators and Their Relation with Social Cohesion in Europe," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 136(1), pages 21-40, February.
    3. M. Kopasz & Z. Fábián & András Gábos & Márton Medgyesi & P. Szivós & István György Tóth, 2013. "GINI Country Report: Growing Inequalities and their Impacts in Hungary," GINI Country Reports hungary, AIAS, Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Labour Studies.
    4. M. Hussain, 2016. "EU Country Rankings’ Sensitivity to the Choice of Welfare Indicators," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 125(1), pages 1-17, January.
    5. James Hart & Matt Henn, 2017. "Neoliberalism and the Unfolding Patterns of Young People’s Political Engagement and Political Participation in Contemporary Britain," Societies, MDPI, vol. 7(4), pages 1-19, November.
    6. Yen-Sheng Chiang & Jacqueline Chen Chen, 2019. "Does Inequality Cause a Difference in Altruism Between the Rich and the Poor? Evidence from a Laboratory Experiment," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 144(1), pages 73-95, July.
    7. Silvia PALASCA, 2015. "Living Standards In Europe. A Regional View," EURINT, Centre for European Studies, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, vol. 2, pages 297-307.
    8. Heijke, J.A.M. & Ioakimidis, M., 2013. "A cross-country analysis of the relationship between income inequality and social capital," ROA Technical Report 003, Maastricht University, Research Centre for Education and the Labour Market (ROA).
    9. Pickett, Kate E. & Wilkinson, Richard G., 2015. "Income inequality and health: A causal review," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 316-326.
    10. Calvert, E. & Tony Fahey, 2013. "GINI DP 75: Income Inequality and the Family," GINI Discussion Papers 75, AIAS, Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Labour Studies.
    11. Mastromatteo, Giuseppe & Russo, Francesco Flaviano, 2017. "Inequality and Charity," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 136-144.
    12. Harris Hyun-soo Kim, 2017. "In-Group and Out-Group Networks, Informal Social Activities, and Electoral Participation Among Immigrants in South Korea," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 18(4), pages 1123-1148, November.
    13. Jan Delhey & Leonie C. Steckermeier, 2020. "Social Ills in Rich Countries: New Evidence on Levels, Causes, and Mediators," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 149(1), pages 87-125, May.
    14. Viktor Bukovszki & Gabriella Dóci & András Reith, 2021. "Coding Engines in Participatory Social Housing Design—A Case to Revisit Pattern Languages," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-27, March.
    15. Emma Calvert & Tony Fahey, 2013. "The Impact of Income Inequality on the Family: A test of a thesis," Working Papers 201302, Geary Institute, University College Dublin.

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