The Causal Effects of Income on Political Attitudes and Behavior: A Randomized Field Experiment

76 Pages Posted: 2 Dec 2024 Last revised: 3 Apr 2025

See all articles by David Broockman

David Broockman

University of California, Berkeley

Elizabeth Rhodes

OpenResearch Lab

Alexander Bartik

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - Department of Economics

Karina Dotson

OpenResearch Lab

Sarah Miller

University of Michigan at Ann Arbor

Patrick Krause

OpenResearch Lab

Eva Vivalt

University of Toronto

Date Written: November 2024

Abstract

We study the causal effects of income on political attitudes and behavior with a field experiment. In the experiment, a non-profit gifted 1,000 low-income Americans $1,000 per month for three years tax-free, and 2,000 control participants $50 monthly. Contrary to resource models of participation, we find no effects on political participation or engagement, and rule out effects equivalent to the observational association between turnout and income. Political preferences largely do not change, with the estimates again distinguishable from the observational relationship that economic conservatism increases with income. Dispositions such as trust in government, polarization, and support for democracy also do not change. We do find effects consistent with mood misattribution: affect towards one's own racial group, other racial groups, and some politicians slightly improves. There is also some evidence that treated participants saw work as more important for individuals, society, or even as a requirement for accessing government programs; qualitative evidence illuminates potential mechanisms. Our findings contrast with findings from other economic shocks such as government-sponsored or taxable transfers—thereby helping clarify the mechanisms likely responsible for their effects—and underscore the durability of political predispositions.

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Suggested Citation

Broockman, David and Rhodes, Elizabeth and Bartik, Alexander and Dotson, Karina and Miller, Sarah and Krause, Patrick and Vivalt, Eva, The Causal Effects of Income on Political Attitudes and Behavior: A Randomized Field Experiment (November 2024). NBER Working Paper No. w33214, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=5040547

David Broockman (Contact Author)

University of California, Berkeley ( email )

310 Barrows Hall
Berkeley, CA 94720
United States

Elizabeth Rhodes

OpenResearch Lab ( email )

Alexander Bartik

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - Department of Economics ( email )

410 David Kinley Hall
1407 W. Gregory
Urbana, IL 61801
United States

Karina Dotson

OpenResearch Lab ( email )

Sarah Miller

University of Michigan at Ann Arbor ( email )

500 S. State Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~mille/

Patrick Krause

OpenResearch Lab ( email )

Eva Vivalt

University of Toronto ( email )

105 St George Street
Toronto, M5S 3G8
Canada

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