Change in Preferred Levels of Income Inequality: Poland, 1988 – 2003

• In Event: 127 - Section on Inequality, Poverty and Mobility Roundtable Session (one-hour).
  In Paper Session: Section on Inequality, Poverty and Mobility Roundtables (one-hour). Table 01. Inequality and Attitudes

Abstract

Rising trends in economic inequality are well-established across many affluent nations. However, researchers have accrued considerably less knowledge regarding the economic attitudes and preferences of individuals living within the context of increasing inequality, especially in developing or transition countries. To gain leverage on this topic, we utilize data from POLPAN, a panel study of Polish citizens, uniquely structured to include responses prior to Poland’s transition to a market economy and at multiple points since then. Using data from four consecutive waves of POLPAN (1988-2003), we examine change over time in respondent’s preferred levels of income inequality. Results of panel regression analysis show that Poles tend to prefer higher levels of income inequality over time. This effect increases with time, even after controlling for respondents’ attitudes toward state intervention. After describing the patters of variation in acceptance of income inequality between different social groups, we discuss the implications of individuals’ evolving benchmarks for preferred levels of inequality.

Authors

• Marta Joanna Kolczynska, The Ohio State University

• Joseph Merry, The Ohio State University