Attitudes to Income Inequality and Preferences for Redistribution in Turkey

Abstract

We estimate the determinants of individuals’ inequality aversion and preferences for redistribution in Turkey using the 2007 and 2011 World Values Survey data. Our results show that factors as predictors of opposing inequality and supporting redistribution in both surveys are dissatisfaction with the financial situation of the household, being on the left side of the political scale, belief that hard work brings a better life, and the opposite of this belief as well. According to the 2011 survey, being woman, being self-employed, belonging to lower class, living in poorer East Central Anatolia region and in Central Anatolia are associated with increased opposition to inequality and support for redistribution. The odds of supporting redistribution decrease for people living in the Aegean region according to both the surveys. For 2007, being in the highest income category relative to the middle is associated with a decreased opposition to inequality and support for redistribution. As for the impact of living in a specific region, besides Aegean region, for 2007, coefficients indicate a decrease in the odds for the following regions: North Eastern Anatolia, Eastern Marmara, Central Anatolia and Western Black Sea.