Preferences for redistribution after the economic crisis

Working Paper 2014-334

Abstract

This paper analyses the effects of the recent Economic Crisis on individual preferences for redistribution in 23 European countries. After implementing a decomposition of the variation in these preferences, it is showed that the crisis was highly significant in increasing support for redistribution. It is found that more unemployment and, in particular, youth unemployment has considerably raised the citizens’ demand for redistribution.

Authors: Javier Olivera.

Keywords: Redistribution, income inequality, social preferences, economic crisis.
JEL: D31, D63, D72, H20.