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Global evidence on the selfish rich inequality hypothesis

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  • Ingvild Almås

    (a Institute for International Economic Studies, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden;; b FAIR–Centre for Experimental Research on Fairness, Inequality and Rationality, Norwegian School of Economics, 5045 Bergen, Norway)

  • Alexander W. Cappelen

    (b FAIR–Centre for Experimental Research on Fairness, Inequality and Rationality, Norwegian School of Economics, 5045 Bergen, Norway)

  • Erik Ø. Sørensen

    (b FAIR–Centre for Experimental Research on Fairness, Inequality and Rationality, Norwegian School of Economics, 5045 Bergen, Norway)

  • Bertil Tungodden

    (b FAIR–Centre for Experimental Research on Fairness, Inequality and Rationality, Norwegian School of Economics, 5045 Bergen, Norway)

Abstract
People’s beliefs about why the rich are richer than the poor have the potential to affect both policy attitudes and economic development. We provide global evidence showing that where the fortunes of the rich are perceived to be the result of selfish behavior, inequality is viewed as unfair, and there is stronger support for income redistribution. However, we also observe that belief in selfish rich inequality is highly polarized in many countries and thus a source of political disagreement that might be detrimental to economic development. We find systematic country differences in the extent to which people believe that selfishness is a source of inequality, which sheds light on international differences in public morality, civic virtues, and redistributive policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Ingvild Almås & Alexander W. Cappelen & Erik Ø. Sørensen & Bertil Tungodden, 2022. "Global evidence on the selfish rich inequality hypothesis," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 119(3), pages 2109690119-, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:nas:journl:v:119:y:2022:p:e2109690119
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Amasino, Dianna R. & Pace, Davide Domenico & van der Weele, Joël, 2023. "Self-serving bias in redistribution choices: Accounting for beliefs and norms," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    2. Lekfuangfu, Warn N. & Powdthavee, Nattavudh & Riyanto, Yohanes E., 2023. "Luck or rights? An experiment on preferences for redistribution following inheritance of opportunity," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 106(C).
    3. Cohn, Alain & Jessen, Lasse J. & Klašnja, Marko & Smeets, Paul, 2023. "Wealthy Americans and redistribution: The role of fairness preferences," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 225(C).

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