Imagine living in a society where climbing the social ladder seems easy and accessible to anyone who puts in the effort. Now, imagine another where you live with the feeling that the risk of losing what you have is high, and, furthermore, many people can see their economic situation worsen over time. How would these perceptions influence your stance on economic redistribution policies?
Recent research published in Political Psychology by researchers from CIMCYC (University of Granada) and a researcher from the University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli” (Italy) explores this question. Through three studies with more than 2,400 participants in Spain and Italy, the team discovered that beliefs about social mobility play a key role in attitudes towards wealth redistribution.
How Do Our Beliefs about Social Mobility Influence Support for Redistribution?
The results show a clear pattern. On the one hand, if we believe that it is easy to move up the social ladder, we are more likely to oppose redistribution policies. The main reason is that this perception is often accompanied by a strong belief in meritocracy, that is, the idea that success depends solely on personal effort.
In this sense, if we think that the system allows anyone to improve their situation through hard work and dedication, then we are less likely to support wealth redistribution, as we might see it as unnecessary or even unfair.
On the other hand, if we think that it is more likely to descend the social ladder, then we tend to support redistribution. In this case, the fear of losing economic stability leads us to value policies that seek to reduce inequality more. The idea that anyone can fall into economic hardship generates greater support for measures that offer security and protection, such as progressive taxes or access to universal public services.
In a world where inequality continues to rise, understanding what factors influence support for or rejection of redistribution is key to designing effective policies. This study not only confirms the importance of beliefs about social mobility but also highlights the relevance of the psychological mechanisms behind them.
If we want to foster a debate about inequality and economic policies, it is essential to consider how individual perceptions of upward and downward social mobility influence our attitudes. This research reminds us that our beliefs can condition our political and economic decisions. Therefore, understanding the relationship between social mobility and redistribution seems like an essential step towards building more equitable and just societies.
Reference:
Matamoros-Lima J., Galdi S., Moya M., Willis G. (2024). Social mobility beliefs and attitudes toward redistribution: Potential explanatory mechanisms. Political Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/pops.13042
Contact:
Juan Antonio Matamoros Lima (@email)
Miguel Moya (@email)
Guillermo Willis (@email)
Silvia Galdi (@email)