The color of benefits a large-scale survey experiment on the limits to solidarity

AMCIS Inequality Seminar

Lecture

What are the limits to our solidarity with unemployed citizens? Who do we consider most deserving of unemployment benefits? Tom van der Meer will present a large-scale Dutch survey experiment covering 10 criteria in 3,672 unique vignettes among 23,000 participants.

Three criteria stand out as most important to our solidarity. We are less likely to grant benefits to recipients: 

1. who do not actively look for a job than those who do 
2. who were fired due to their own unprofessional behavior than to those who were fired due to reorganization 
3. who are migrants than to native Dutch. 

Whereas the first 2 criteria are embedded in Dutch law, the 3rd is actively prohibited by it. Moreover, even when migrants otherwise have the most favorable characteristics (and actively contribute to Dutch economy), they cannot close this deservingness gap. The deservingness gap is observed across the political spectrum.

Intriguingly, the treatment effect induced by ethnic categorization spills over to respondents’ attitudes towards deservingness among native Dutch recipients.

Registration

Registration is not required. Drinks are served afterwards. 

Published by  AISSR