Research

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Working papers


Abstract: Previous empirical literature, often limited to cross-countries comparisons at a given point of time, has mainly revealed a weak relationship between inequality and demand for redistribution. In this paper, adopting a longitudinal approach, we show that a strong correlation exists between these two factors. We find that the level of demand for redistribution follows --with a delay of 2-3 years-- the different phases of the evolution of inequalities, even after controlling for a wide range of factors. The study shows that this evolution of preferences is explained partly by a greater aversion to large disparities in incomes. Additionally, in contrast to the existing literature, our differential analysis shows that the evolution of preferences is homogeneous over East and West Germans, and that the rich have seen their support for redistribution increase significantly more than the poor.


Abstract: The literature abounds with studies highlighting the existence of strong intergenerational correlations, some of which relate to preferences. This paper is the first to investigate empirically the intergenerational correlation of preferences for redistribution between parents and children. The main findings using the SOEP data suggest a substantial intergenerational transmission of preferences for taxation. In addition to the fact that the estimated correlations put parental preferences at the head of the determinants of individual attitudes towards redistribution, our mediation analysis challenges the impact of some variables considered as key determinants in the literature. Regarding the mechanism of transmission of these preferences, the social environment seems to play a more important role than direct family socialization. This study also shows that the absence of opinion on these redistribution issues can be explained by the individual's parents' attitudes as well as by the individual's level of education, gender and political orientation. 


Abstract: Previous empirical literature related to preferences for redistribution has been mainly focused on developed countries and on the self-interest factors. This article examines, for the first time, the attitudes towards redistribution and the structure of their determinants in West Africa with a focus on social interest factors. Based on the Afro-barometer data, we show that West Africans express a high degree of dissatisfaction towards current redistribution policies and that social-interest variables play as important a role as self-interest variables in shaping these attitudes. We find also through a mediation analysis using the khb method that the social-interest factors explain a considerable part of the well-known relationship between the individual economic factors and demand for redistribution.