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GINI DP 33: Income Inequality and Solidarity in Europe

Author

Listed:
  • Marii Paskov

    (Institute for New Economic Thinking, University of Oxford)

  • Caroline Dewilde

    (TS Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tilburg University)

Abstract

This paper studies the relationship between income inequality, a macro-level characteristic, and solidarity of Europeans. To this aim, solidarity is defined as the ‘willingness to contribute to the welfare of other people’. We rely on a theoretical idea according to which feelings of solidarity are derived from both affective and calculating considerations, and we test competing hypotheses relating the extent of income inequality to both motivations for solidarity. Using data from the 1999 European Values Study (EVS), we apply multilevel analysis for 26 European countries. Controlling for household income and for other relevant macro-level characteristics which possibly influence feelings of solidarity of Europeans in different countries, we find evidence that in more unequal countries people are less willing to take action to improve the living conditions of their fellow-countrymen. This is true for respondents living in both low- and high-income households. Following from our expectations derived from the literature, this finding furthermore suggests that, at least when measured in terms of ‘willingness to contribute to the welfare of other people’, feelings of solidarity seem to be influenced more strongly by affective, rather than by calculating considerations.

Suggested Citation

  • Marii Paskov & Caroline Dewilde, 2012. "GINI DP 33: Income Inequality and Solidarity in Europe," GINI Discussion Papers 33, AIAS, Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Labour Studies.
  • Handle: RePEc:aia:ginidp:33
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. 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.
    2. Tim Goedemé & Brian Nolan & Marii Paskov & David Weisstanner, 2022. "Occupational Social Class and Earnings Inequality in Europe: A Comparative Assessment," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 159(1), pages 215-233, January.
    3. Pickett, Kate E. & Wilkinson, Richard G., 2015. "Income inequality and health: A causal review," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 316-326.
    4. Rafael Laurenti & Jagdeep Singh & Rajib Sinha & Josepha Potting & Björn Frostell, 2016. "Unintended Environmental Consequences of Improvement Actions: A Qualitative Analysis of Systems' Structure and Behavior," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(3), pages 381-399, May.
    5. David Weisstanner, 2020. "Income Growth and Preferences for Redistribution: The Role of Absolute and Relative Economic Experiences," LIS Working papers 782, LIS Cross-National Data Center in Luxembourg.
    6. Jonathan J. B. Mijs, 2018. "Inequality Is a Problem of Inference: How People Solve the Social Puzzle of Unequal Outcomes," Societies, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-17, August.
    7. Wintermantel, Vanessa, 2017. "Forschungsbericht IV. Ergebnisse der Vermächtnisstudie zum Thema sozialer Zusammenhalt und Sozialstaat," Discussion Papers, Presidential Department P 2017-009, WZB Berlin Social Science Center.
    8. Mastromatteo, Giuseppe & Russo, Francesco Flaviano, 2017. "Inequality and Charity," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 136-144.
    9. Zheng, Hui & Choi, Yoonyoung & Dirlam, Jonathan & George, Linda, 2022. "Rising childhood income inequality and declining Americans’ health," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 303(C).
    10. Yety Rochwulaningsih & Singgih Tri Sulistiyono & Mahendra Puji Utama & Noor Naelil Masruroh & Fanada Sholihah & Fajar Gemilang Purna Yudha, 2023. "Integrating socio-cultural value system into health services in response to Covid-19 patients’ self-isolation in Indonesia," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-12, December.
    11. Damian Walczak & Dorota Krupa, 2020. "Exchange Transactions and Socioeconomic Determinants of Solidarity: The Case of Post-Solidarity Poland," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(3), pages 364-377.

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    Keywords

    solidarity; income inequality; social distance; human motives; Europe.;
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