Intergenerational Mobility and Preferences for Redistribution

TLDR

The study uses cross‑country survey and experimental data to examine how beliefs about intergenerational mobility influence preferences for redistribution across France, Italy, Sweden, the UK, and the US. Americans are more optimistic about mobility than Europeans, and providing pessimistic information raises support for redistribution—particularly equality‑of‑opportunity policies—especially among left‑wing respondents, while right‑wing respondents show no change, highlighting strong political polarization. JEL codes: D63, D72, H23, H24, J31, J62.

Abstract

Using new cross-country survey and experimental data, we investigate how beliefs about intergenerational mobility affect preferences for redistribution in France, Italy, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Americans are more optimistic than Europeans about social mobility. Our randomized treatment shows pessimistic information about mobility and increases support for redistribution, mostly for “equality of opportunity” policies. We find strong political polarization. Left-wing respondents are more pessimistic about mobility: their preferences for redistribution are correlated with their mobility perceptions; and they support more redistribution after seeing pessimistic information. None of this is true for right-wing respondents, possibly because they see the government as a “problem” and not as the “solution.” (JEL D63, D72, H23, H24, J31, J62)