Preferences for Redistribution

Alberto Alesina and Paola Giuliano

No 14825, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: This paper discusses what determines the preferences of individuals for redistribution. We review the theoretical literature and provide a framework to incorporate various effects previously studied separately in the literature. We then examine empirical evidence for the US, using the General Social Survey, and for a large set of countries, using the World Values Survey. The paper reviews previously found results and provides several new ones. We emphasize, in particular, the role of historical experiences, cultural factors and personal history as determinants of preferences for equality or tolerance for inequality.

JEL-codes: I38 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2009-03
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cba and nep-pol
Note: LE POL
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (192)

Published as Alesina, Alberto, and Paola Giuliano. 2011. Preferences for Redistribution. In Handbook of Social Economics, A Bisin and Benhabib, J, 93-132. North Holland.

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Working Paper: Preferences for Redistribution (2009)
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