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A false divide? Providing information about inequality aligns preferences for redistribution between right- and left-wing voters

Author

Listed:
  • Christopher Hoy

    (Australian National University)

  • Russell Toth

    (University of Sydney)

  • Nurina Merdikawati

    (Australian National University)

Abstract

Are differences in preferences for redistribution between right- and left-wing voters amplified because of misperceptions of inequality? To address this question, we conduct three nationally representative, randomized survey experiments with 7020 Australians, in which respondents are informed about either the level of national inequality and economic mobility, their position in the national income distribution, or given no information. We show that correcting misperceptions of inequality reduces the gap in support for redistribution between right-wing and left-wing voters by between 21 to 37 percent. This is predominantly due to right-wing voters, who held more inaccurate priors, increasing their support for redistribution.

Suggested Citation

  • Christopher Hoy & Russell Toth & Nurina Merdikawati, 2024. "A false divide? Providing information about inequality aligns preferences for redistribution between right- and left-wing voters," The Journal of Economic Inequality, Springer;Society for the Study of Economic Inequality, vol. 22(3), pages 669-707, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:joecin:v:22:y:2024:i:3:d:10.1007_s10888-023-09609-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s10888-023-09609-2
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Inequality; Social mobility; Redistribution; Political economy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • H23 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Externalities; Redistributive Effects; Environmental Taxes and Subsidies
    • H24 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Personal Income and Other Nonbusiness Taxes and Subsidies
    • J62 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Job, Occupational and Intergenerational Mobility; Promotion

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