Fairness Across the World
Do people differ in what they consider fair and unfair inequality? In how they balance fairness and efficiency considerations? Or do they primarily differ in their beliefs about the source of inequality and the efficiency cost of redistribution?
In a new study published in The Quarterly Journal of Economics, Ingvild Almås, Alexander W. Cappelen, Erik Ø. Sørensen and Bertil Tungodden examine how people across the world view inequality and what shapes their attitudes towards redistribution.
Drawing on an experiment involving more than 65,000 participants across 60 countries, the authors investigate how people's acceptance of inequality depends on whether economic differences result from performance or luck, and whether redistribution comes at an economic cost.
The findings show that people are considerably more willing to accept inequality when it reflects performance rather than luck. The study also reveals substantial differences in fairness views across societies, with meritocratic views particularly common in wealthier Western countries.
The authors further explore how beliefs about the causes of inequality shape attitudes towards redistribution. Even people who share similar ideas about fairness may disagree about redistribution if they hold different beliefs about whether inequality results from performance or luck.
Taken together, the study sheds light on why attitudes towards inequality and redistribution differ across societies. It highlights the importance of understanding both what people consider fair and what they believe causes inequality.