Events

Abstract: Why do some people support redistributive policies? And why, depending on the level of redistribution provided, do some engage in crime while others choose to invest in policing as a response to inequality? Using a novel survey and lab experiment, this presentation aims to explore four main arguments. First, while existing research in political science and economics on fairness considerations is based on studying symmetric situations (when income is the result of the same procedure for all), this project will focus on “procedural fairness” (when income is the result of effort for some and luck for others). Second, it will look at whether the influence of fairness considerations is income dependent (stronger for the rich, weaker for the poor). Third, it will analyse whether effort and talent are rewarded differently by individuals. And fourth, it will (very preliminarily) investigate how deservingness and redistributive choices affect the willingness to engage in crime or invest in policing.

The Political Science Seminar Series is convened by Rachel Bernhard and Tarik Abou-Chadi. For more information on this or any of the seminars in the series, please contact politics.secretary@nuffield.ox.ac.uk.