Unemployment or Income? How Economic Self-Interest Shapes Welfare State Attitudes from Early Adulthood to Midlife

• In Event: 30451 - Inequality

Abstract

Under conditions of rising inequality, how might economic self-interest shape attitudes toward income inequality and redistribution? Data from a Canadian cohort study covering 30 years(1987 to 2017, N=1864) were used to test alternative hypotheses. The economic loss hypothesis was not supported; current unemployment was not associated with the view that income inequality is too high and that those with higher income should pay more taxes. Higher income was associated with these two political attitudes, as predicted by the status defence hypothesis. Interaction tests showed status defence to be more visible (i.e., the income-attitude association was stronger) at ages 32 and 50, compared to in early adulthood (ages 20 and 25). Examination of the direct effects of age revealed age 32 findings that may reflect the unique political economy of the province of Alberta at the turn of the century.

Authors

• Harvey Jacob Krahn, University of Alberta

• Michelle Lee Maroto, University of Alberta

• Samuel Harris Braden, University of Alberta

• Matthew Johnson, University of Alberta