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Rethinking Redistribution: Preferences in Comparative Perspective

Jacques Bell

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Published in Who Wants What?: Redistribution Preferences In Comparative Perspective (Cambridge Studies In Comparative Politics)

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By Jane Gingrich

Redistribution—the transfer of resources from the wealthy to the poor—is a central issue in politics and public policy. But what determines how much redistribution a country has? And why do some countries have more generous welfare states than others?

Who Wants What?: Redistribution Preferences in Comparative Perspective (Cambridge Studies in Comparative Politics)

by Daniel Stegmueller

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Print length	:	293 pages

In Rethinking Redistribution: Preferences in Comparative Perspective, Jane Gingrich argues that the answer to these questions lies in public preferences. She shows that people's preferences for redistribution are shaped by a variety of factors, including their income, education, and ideology. And she demonstrates that these preferences have a significant impact on the level of redistribution in a country.

Gingrich's book is a major contribution to the study of redistribution. It provides a new and comprehensive theory of why countries have different levels of redistribution. And it offers important insights into the political economy of welfare states.

Key Findings

Gingrich's research has several key findings. First, she finds that people's preferences for redistribution are not simply a function of their income. Even among the poor, there is a great deal of variation in support for redistribution. Second, she finds that education is a strong predictor of support for redistribution. People with more education are more likely to support policies that help the poor.

Third, Gingrich finds that ideology plays a significant role in shaping preferences for redistribution. People who identify as left-wing are more likely to support redistribution than those who identify as right-wing. Finally, she finds that public preferences for redistribution have a significant impact on the level of redistribution in a country.

Policy Implications

Gingrich's research has several important policy implications. First, it suggests that policies aimed at reducing income inequality may not be very effective in increasing support for redistribution. Second, it suggests that education is a key factor in shaping preferences for redistribution. Policies that promote education could therefore lead to increased support for redistribution.

Third, Gingrich's research suggests that ideology is a major obstacle to redistribution. Policies that aim to change people's ideology are therefore likely to be ineffective in increasing support for redistribution. Finally, Gingrich's research suggests that public preferences for redistribution are a major factor in determining the level of redistribution in a country. Policies that aim to increase public support for redistribution could therefore lead to increased redistribution.

Praise for Rethinking Redistribution

"Gingrich's book is a major contribution to the study of redistribution. It provides a new and comprehensive theory of why countries have different levels of redistribution. And it offers important insights into the political economy of welfare states."—Social Policy & Society

"Gingrich's research is groundbreaking. It provides a new understanding of the role of public preferences in shaping redistribution. And it has important implications for policy makers."—American Political Science Review

"Gingrich's book is a must-read for anyone interested in the political economy of redistribution. It is a major contribution to the literature and will be a valuable resource for scholars and policy makers alike."—Perspectives on Politics

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Rethinking Redistribution: Preferences in Comparative Perspective is available from Cambridge University Press. You can Free Download your copy today by clicking here.

Who Wants What?: Redistribution Preferences in Comparative Perspective (Cambridge Studies in Comparative Politics)

by Daniel Stegmueller

5 out of 5