How does information about inequality shape voting intentions and preferences for redistribution? Evidence from a randomized survey experiment in Indonesia

B-Tier
Journal: Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics
Year: 2024
Volume: 112
Issue: C

Authors (3)

Hoy, Christopher (Australian National University) Toth, Russell (not in RePEc) Merdikawati, Nurina (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

0.670 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We test the elasticity of people's voting intentions and preferences for redistribution to information about inequality through a large-scale, randomised survey experiment in Indonesia. Respondents received information about either (1) the level of national inequality, (2) the level of national inequality in combination with the degree of intergenerational mobility, (3) their position in the national income distribution, or no information. The first two treatments raised people's concern about inequality and mobility. The first treatment also increased the likelihood they would vote against the President. The third treatment lowered richer respondents’ support for redistribution. These findings provide new insights about the challenges of increasing public support for government-led redistribution, such as tax increases and greater spending on social protection, in middle-income country settings.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:soceco:v:112:y:2024:i:c:s2214804324001113
Journal Field
Experimental
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-02-02