Social mobility beliefs and attitudes toward redistribution: Potential explanatory mechanisms

• DOI: 10.1111/pops.13042
• Publication Date: 2024-10-08T17:09:20Z
• Authors: Juan Matamoros‐Lima; Silvia Galdi; Miguel Moya; Guillermo B. Willis
• Keywords: Redistribution; Explanatory model

Abstract Economic inequality is a significant problem of modern society, and redistributive policies are one the most effective tools for reducing it. Previous studies have highlighted importance social mobility to understand attitudes toward redistribution. Across three preregistered ( N = 2475; cross‐sectional two experimental) in different countries (Italy Spain), we investigated relationship between upward downward societal beliefs redistribution, as well potential explanatory mechanisms. Results showed that when people believe it easy improve socioeconomic status their they oppose policies; conversely, difficult, support policies. Importantly, meritocratic explained effect on perceived personal economic risks accounted effect. Implications these results design reduce discussed.