| By: |
Ilja Neustadt (Institute for Future Energy Consumer Needs and Behavior (FCN), RWTH Aachen University) |
| Abstract: |
Due to the mixed empirical evidence bearing on the economic determinants,
beliefs have been at the center of attention of research into preferences for
income redistribution. We elicit preferences for income redistribution through
a Discrete Choice Experiment performed in 2008 in Switzerland and relate them
to several behavioral determinants, in particular to religious beliefs.
Estimated marginal willingness to pay (WTP) is positive among those who do not
belong to a religious denomination, and negative otherwise. However, the
marginal WTP is shown to increase with a higher degree of religiosity.
Moreover, those who state that luck or connections play a crucial role in
determining economic success exhibit significantly higher WTP values than
those who deem e?ort to be decisive. |
| Keywords: |
Income redistribution, beliefs, religiosity, welfare state, preferences, willingness to pay, discrete choice experiments |
| JEL: |
C35 C93 D63 H29 |
| Date: |
2010–09 |
| URL: |
http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:soz:wpaper:1009&r=dcm |