Income Inequality and Pro-Poor Opinions: Empirical Evidence at Regional Level
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25071/1874-6322.40642Keywords:
regional inequality, pro-poor opinions, inequity aversion, welfare preferences., Gini indexAbstract
This study examines how exposure to regional inequality can be related to fairness beliefs about the poor. The hypothesis is that greater inequality is associated with a greater awareness of social disparities, resulting in a higher consensus on the necessity of helping society’s left behind. Using data from the European Social Survey across multiple regions in 25 countries, our results show a significant positive relationship between regional inequality and support for social care targeting the most disadvantaged. We find some evidence of the effect being particularly concentrated among higher income and more educated individuals. Our main findings remain robust
across multiple specifications. The research contributes to the literature by highlighting how actual inequality may shape normative beliefs about social fairness, moving beyond traditional redistribution preferences.
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