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Publication Detailed Description
How fair is economic inequality? Belief in a just world and the legitimation of economic disparities in 27 European countries
Journal Title
Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
Year (definitive publication)
2022
Language
English
Country
United States of America
More Information
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Abstract
This article aims to examine the role of Belief in a Just World (BJW) in the legitimation of economic inequality. Using data from 27 European countries (N=47,086), we conducted multilevel analyses and found that BJW positively predicted the legitimation of economic inequality, measured by three indicators: the perceived fairness of the overall wealth inequality, and the fairness of the earnings made by the Top 10% and the Bottom 10% of society. These results persisted after controlling for individual- and country-level variables. Moreover, the BJW effect was stronger on the legitimation of the Bottom 10% incomes, compared to the legitimation of the Top 10%. We also found that economic inequality at the country-level reduced the BJW effect on legitimation of inequality. Finally, BJW displayed a negative indirect effect on support for redistribution, via the legitimation of economic inequalities.
Acknowledgements
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Keywords
Belief in a just world,Blaming the poor,Economic inequality,European Social Survey,Legitimation of inequalities
Fields of Science and Technology Classification
- Psychology - Social Sciences
Funding Records
| Funding Reference | Funding Entity |
|---|---|
| 2013/07923-7 | FAPESP |
| 2019/10046-4 | FAPESP |
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