The Emerging Aversion to Inequality: Evidence from Poland 1992–2005

No 3484, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA)

Abstract: This paper provides an illustration of the changing tolerance for inequality in a context of radical political and economic transformation and rapid economic growth. We focus on the Polish transition experience, and explore individuals' self-reported attitudes. Using unusually long and frequent (monthly) representative surveys of the population, carried out by the Polish poll institute (CBOS) from 1992 to 2005, we identify a structural break in the relationship between income inequality and subjective well-being. The downturn in the tolerance for inequality (1997) coincides with increasing distrust of political elites.

Keywords: inequality; subjective satisfaction; breakpoint; transition (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C25 D31 I30 P20 P26 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ltv and nep-tra
Date: Written 2008-05
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Related works:
Working Paper: The Emerging Aversion to Inequality: Evidence from Poland 1992-2005 (2008)
Working Paper: The emerging aversion to inequality: Evidence from Poland 1992-2005 (2008)
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