Culture, context, and the taste for redistribution
By: Erzo F.P. Luttmer, Monica Singhal
Contributors: Singhal, Monica; John F. Kennedy School of Government
Series: Faculty research working papers series -- RWP08-038
Publisher: John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
Published: 2008
Place of publication: Cambridge, MA
Language: eng
Number of pages: 35
Subjects: Income distribution; Public opinion; Social aspects; Immigrants; Attitudes; Culture; Economic aspects
Description: Is culture an important determinant of preferences for redistribution? To separate the effect of culture from the effect of the economic and institutional environment ("context"), we relate immigrants' preferences for redistribution to the average preference in their birth countries, controlling extensively for individual characteristics and country-of-residence fixed effects. We find a strong positive relationship. This cultural effect is larger for non-voters, those with shorter tenure in the country of residence, and those who move to countries with a large number of immigrants from their own birth countries. Immigrants from countries with a higher preference for redistribution are also more likely to vote for a more pro-redistribution political party. The effect of culture persists strongly into the second generation.
Notes: "August 2008."

Includes bibliographical references (p. 23-26).