Public attitudes toward the minimum wage debate: Effects of partisanship, ideology, beliefs

Abstract

In this study, we examine the factors that affect public attitudes about raising the federal minimum wage, with a focus on partisanship, ideology, and individuals’ values or beliefs concerning the current state of wealth distribution, the government’s role, and the effects of raising the minimum wage on employment. Using logit analysis on a 2014 CBS News Poll, we find that public attitudes about raising the minimum wage are shaped by not only partisanship or ideology but also individuals’ long-standing values or beliefs regarding policy issues. Particularly, by making those values or beliefs the intervening variables, we show that the effects of partisanship or ideology are moderated by the values or beliefs regarding the minimum wage increase. While plenty of previous research finds political party affiliation as the most crucial factor that shapes individuals’ policy preferences, our study’s findings indicate that the expected policy outcome has the greatest effect on public support for the minimum wage increase, and the effect of the beliefs about the unequal distribution of income or wealth is as strong as that of political affiliation.