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Corneo, G., Neher, F. (2012). Income Inequality and Self-Reported Values. Discussion Paper SFB/TR 15 N. 382

This paper offers a comprehensive econometric investigation of the impact of income inequality on the values endorsed by people. Using survey data from all thirty-four OECD countries over a period of almost thirty years, the following dimensions of value systems are investigated: work ethic, civism, obedience, honesty, altruism, and tolerance. In most cases, no robust effects from inequality on values are detected. However, there is evidence that a more unequal income distribution strengthens the work ethic of the population. Thus, income inequality seems to generate work incentives not only via the pecuniary reward of work but also through the symbolic reward it receives.

Authors

Corneo, Giacomo

Giacomo Corneo is Professor of Public Finance and Social Policy at the Free University of Berlin. He studied economics at Universitá Bocconi in Milan, received a Ph.D. at Ministero dell'Universitá in Rome and one from the EDP at EHESS in Paris, and got Habilitation at the...

Neher, Frank

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