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Observing Unexpected Patterns in Cross-National Research: Blame Data, Theory, or Both? Attitudes toward Redistributive Taxation in Thirty-Three Countries
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Abstract This article examines the relationships between socioeconomic status and attitudes toward redistributive taxation across 33 countries using the complete International Social Survey Programme (ISSP) 2006 data set. We apply a simple rational-choice-inspired homo-economicus hypothesis proposing that th... view more
This article examines the relationships between socioeconomic status and attitudes toward redistributive taxation across 33 countries using the complete International Social Survey Programme (ISSP) 2006 data set. We apply a simple rational-choice-inspired homo-economicus hypothesis proposing that those better off in the socioeconomic hierarchy should have less reason to support state-organized economic redistribution compared to those situated at lower levels in the socioeconomic hierarchy. The empirical results demonstrate substantial cross-country variation regarding the correspondence between empirical observations and theoretical expectations. When faced with such tremendous cross-national variation in response patterns, a common strategy among researchers is to question the quality of the data collection procedures for those countries deviating strongly from theoretical expectations. The strategy chosen in this study is, however, different. The main argument is that an observed lack of fit between theory and empirical observations may be rooted in problems related to theory rather than the quality of data collection procedures. Building on previous research, two “cultural distance” hypotheses are formulated, both of which argue that the correspondence between the homo-economicus theory and empirics should indeed vary systematically across countries. The first focuses on the role of the welfare state and the second on the level of economic affluence and associated scientific dominance. Both hypotheses receive considerable empirical support. The relationship between socioeconomic status and support for redistributive taxation is substantially stronger in the wealthy Western welfare states - particularly among those of Northern Europe - than in the poor non-Western countries lacking any institutional design reminiscent of a welfare state.... view less
Keywords
redistribution; prosperity; public opinion; institutionalism; rational choice theory; modernization theory; data quality; homo economicus; social status; economic development (on national level); ISSP; attitude; international comparison; welfare state; population; taxation; construction of indicators; data capture
Classification
Methods and Techniques of Data Collection and Data Analysis, Statistical Methods, Computer Methods
General Sociology, Basic Research, General Concepts and History of Sociology, Sociological Theories
Free Keywords
international comparative research; latent class analysis; taxation
Document language
English
Publication Year
2015
Page/Pages
17 p.
Journal
International journal of sociology, 45 (2015) 4
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/00207659.2015.1098272
ISSN
1557-9336
Status
Postprint; peer reviewed
Licence
Deposit Licence - No Redistribution, No Modifications