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Tax the élites! The role of economic inequality and conspiracy beliefs on attitudes towards taxes and redistribution intentions
Author(s) -
Salvador Casara Bruno Gabriel,
Filippi Silvia,
Suitner Caterina,
Dollani Ervin,
Maass Anne
Publication year - 2023
Publication title -
british journal of social psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.855
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 2044-8309
pISSN - 0144-6665
DOI - 10.1111/bjso.12555
Subject(s) - redistribution (election) , psychology , inequality , social psychology , prejudice (legal term) , demographic economics , economics , political science , politics , law , mathematical analysis , mathematics
Taxation is one of the most widely acknowledged strategies to reduce inequality, particularly if based on progressivity. In a high‐powered sample study ( N = 2119) we investigated economic inequality and conspiracy beliefs as two key predictors of tax attitude and support for progressive taxation. We found that participants in the high economic inequality condition had lower levels of tax compliance and higher levels of conspiracy beliefs and support for progressive taxation. Furthermore, the effect of the experimental condition on tax compliance was mediated by conspiracy beliefs. Finally, conspiracy belief scores were positively associated with support for progressive taxation. Our results provide evidence that attitudes towards taxation are not monolithic but change considering the aims and targets of specific taxes. Indeed, while the perception of economic inequality prompts the desire for equal redistribution, it also fosters conspiracy narratives that undermine compliance with taxes.