Public preferences

Abstract

Research on people’s policy preferences concerning social protection examines the micro-foundations of individuals’ demand for redistributive policy measures or specific social protection measures and seeks to understand he underlying driving factors. As people’s preferences reflect the acceptability of redistributive policies within societies, the distribution of preferences within a population is considered relevant in influencing the feasibility of social protection policies by shaping public support (or public opposition). This chapter summarizes available research. It distinguishes between three different types of approaches: approaches assuming self-interested preferences, discussing in particular the role of income, risk aversion and social mobility; approaches examining other-regarding preferences, addressing the role of values and social norms; and approaches considering the role of information. In addition, this contribution reflects on methodological challenges in measuring preferences focusing on the validity of approaches used for measuring preferences and problems of endogeneity when addressing the causal link between preferences for redistribution and redistributive outcomes.