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Do the poor want to be regulated? Public opinion surveys on regulation in the United States, 1981–2002

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  • Jeremy Horpedahl

    (University of Central Arkansas)

Abstract

Recent research has demonstrated that public regulation of private economic activity often has regressive effects. Despite those effects, poorer Americans show strong support for a variety of regulations in public opinion surveys. I use the database of survey questions from 1981 to 2002, assembled by Martin Gilens, to identify 85 questions that deal with economic regulation. Poorer Americans support regulation on most issues, and they often favor regulatory intervention more than Americans at the median or upper income levels. I also use similar questions from surveys of economists to suggest the possibility of rational irrationality on the part of low-income Americans when they disagree with economists.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeremy Horpedahl, 2019. "Do the poor want to be regulated? Public opinion surveys on regulation in the United States, 1981–2002," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 180(1), pages 27-42, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:pubcho:v:180:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1007_s11127-018-0508-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s11127-018-0508-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jacobs, Lawrence R. & Page, Benjamin I., 2005. "Who Influences U.S. Foreign Policy?," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 99(1), pages 107-123, February.
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    5. Caplan, Bryan, 2001. "What Makes People Think Like Economists? Evidence on Economic Cognition from the "Survey of Americans and Economists on the Economy."," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 44(2), pages 395-426, October.
    6. Daniel B. Klein & William L. Davis & David Hedengren, 2013. "Economics Professors' Voting, Policy Views, Favorite Economists, and Frequent Lack of Consensus," Econ Journal Watch, Econ Journal Watch, vol. 10(1), pages 116-125, January.
    7. Alston, Richard M & Kearl, J R & Vaughan, Michael B, 1992. "Is There a Consensus among Economists in the 1990's?," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 82(2), pages 203-209, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Klaus Gründler & Niklas Potrafke & Timo Wochner, 2020. "Structural Reforms and Income Inequality: Who Benefits from Market-Oriented Reforms?," CESifo Working Paper Series 8042, CESifo.
    2. Chambers, Dustin & O'Reilly, Colin, 2022. "Regulation and income inequality in the United States," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Regulation; Regressive effects; Rational irrationality; Public opinion;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D70 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - General
    • H40 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - General
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • K20 - Law and Economics - - Regulation and Business Law - - - General
    • L51 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy - - - Economics of Regulation

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