The Effects of Race, Income, Mobility and Political Beliefs on Support For Redistribution

A questionnaire is used to assess the impact of race, current past and future family income, as well as political beliefs on the support for redistribution. Current income maximization predicts those with above average income oppose redistribution. However blacks support redistribution until income is well above average and whites oppose redistribution even if income is well below average. Those with incomes below average expect to move up and this prospect of upward mobility reduces support for redistribution. The rich are more likely to espouse arguments that protect their wealth. Most intriguingly, as blacks become richer, support for redistribution falls especially rapidly.