Why Do the Poor Oppose Income Redistribution? The Co-Existence of Self-Esteem and System Justification Motivations

Abstract

We study the poor's psychological motivations to oppose income redistribution, relying on social identity theory and system justification theory. We find evidence consistent with both theories: national identification, system dependence, and feelings of powerlessness all reduce differences in attitudes toward income redistribution between the poor and the rich. In addition, we verify that channels proposed by the two theories bring about distinct psychological ramification to the self-esteem of the poor: The poor engage in national identification in order to overcome their low self-esteem, but they also yield to system justification motivations at the expense of self-esteem. Our further analysis reveals that the sophisticated poor are less likely to engage in system justification.