Self-centered and non-self-centered inequality aversion matter: Evidence from Uruguay based on an experimental survey

Autor: Santiago Burone, Martín Leites
Rok vydání: 2021
Předmět:
Zdroj: The Journal of Economic Inequality. 19:265-291
ISSN: 1573-8701
1569-1721
Popis: In this paper we provide evidence on the empirical relevance of two notions of inequality aversion that have been explored in the literature: self-centered and non-self-centered inequality aversion. We used a flexible model and designed an experimental survey that allowed us to address jointly both of these notions of inequality aversion and to distinguish their relevance. The survey was administered to a sample of first-year University students in Uruguay. The findings confirm the empirical relevance of both notions of aversion to inequality in a developing country. Most study participants exhibited non-self-centered inequality aversion, while a minority of the individuals in our sample appeared to favor inequality. In general the magnitude of aversion to inequality varied as a function of individuals’ position in the income distribution. self-centered income aversion is influenced by many factors, which is manifested in the fact that the magnitude of its parameters is more heterogeneous in compression to non-self centered aversion. In a minority of individuals, self-centered aversion has zero effect, and they are more willing to pay to reduce non-self-centered inequality. Finally, considering both notions together may help prevent bias in the measurement of inequality aversion.
Databáze: OpenAIRE