Global evidence on the selfish rich inequality hypothesis

Area of Science:

• Social Psychology
• Sociology
• Political Science

Background:

• Understanding public perceptions of wealth inequality is crucial for social and economic policy.
• Previous research has explored factors contributing to inequality, but public belief in selfishness as a cause requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the global prevalence of the belief that wealth inequality stems from the rich being more selfish.
• To examine variations in this belief across countries and within different income groups.
• To assess the impact of this belief on individuals' policy preferences regarding inequality and redistribution.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of survey data from over 26,000 individuals across 60 countries.
• Cross-national and individual-level statistical analyses, including regression models with Lasso selection.
• Examination of correlations between belief in the selfish rich inequality hypothesis and perceptions of unfairness and support for redistributive policies.

Main Results:

• A strong global consensus exists that the rich are richer due to selfishness, with a majority agreeing in most countries.
• Belief in the selfish rich inequality hypothesis is more pronounced in countries with high corruption and weak institutions.
• This belief is less prevalent among higher-income individuals within a society.
• The belief significantly predicts support for policies aimed at reducing inequality and perceiving existing inequality as unfair.

Conclusions:

• The study provides robust evidence for the widespread belief that selfishness drives wealth inequality.
• This perception of inequality is linked to views on fairness and support for government intervention.
• Findings highlight the importance of public beliefs in shaping attitudes towards economic and social policies.