Download This PaperWhat Do Americans Talk About When They Talk About Income Inequality?
32 Pages Posted: 6 Jul 2016 Last revised: 9 Jul 2016
Date Written: 2016
Abstract
Rising levels of inequality currently receive a great deal of attention from the mass public. But what do ordinary people have in mind when they talk about inequality? In this study, we use both survey and survey-experimental data to investigate whether Americans understand this highly abstract concept the way that academics have in mind. Results show substantial evidence of misunderstanding, and this helps to explain the relatively weak link between concern about inequality and support for redistributive economic policies.
Keywords: income inequality, public opinion
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
Kim, Eunji and Pedersen, Rasmus and Mutz, Diana, What Do Americans Talk About When They Talk About Income Inequality? (2016). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2805330 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2805330
Do you have a job opening that you would like to promote on SSRN?
Feedback
Feedback to SSRN
If you need immediate assistance, call 877-SSRNHelp (877 777 6435) in the United States, or +1 212 448 2500 outside of the United States, 8:30AM to 6:00PM U.S. Eastern, Monday - Friday.