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How Fair is Economic Inequality? Belief in a Just World and the Legitimation of Economic Disparities in 27 European Countries.
- Source :
- Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin; Mar2022, Vol. 48 Issue 3, p382-395, 14p
- Publication Year :
- 2022
-
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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 01461672
- Volume :
- 48
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 155345190
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1177/01461672211002366