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Determinants of inequality acceptability in a representative sample of the Spanish population

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  • Santamaría, Diego
  • Miller, Luis
  • Ubeda, Paloma
  • Padilla-Angulo, Laura

Abstract

Why is there general support for equality-enhancing policies in some social contexts, while in others, social inequalities seem to be widely regarded as acceptable? In the last sixty years, this research question has been raised hundreds of times across the social sciences. Here, we use a survey-experimental design that may overcome some of the limitations of previous studies. Three sets of determinants of inequality acceptability are explored: individual socioeconomic status (SES), societal economic inequality, and the source or origin of inequality. The results of a survey experiment conducted in 2020 based on a representative sample confirm that inequalities are considered fairer by high-SES individuals and when they are due to performance. Although the effect of societal inequality on preferences is less robust, we find that in more unequal contexts, equal distributions are judged to be fairer.

Suggested Citation

  • Santamaría, Diego & Miller, Luis & Ubeda, Paloma & Padilla-Angulo, Laura, 2023. "Determinants of inequality acceptability in a representative sample of the Spanish population," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 106(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:soceco:v:106:y:2023:i:c:s2214804323000988
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socec.2023.102072
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    Cited by:

    1. Justin Valasek & Pauline Vorjohann & Weijia Wang & Justin Mattias Valasek, 2024. "Fairness Preferences, Inequality Acceptance and Default Effects," CESifo Working Paper Series 11288, CESifo.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Inequality; Redistribution; Socioeconomic status; Survey experiments;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C90 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - General
    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement

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