Explaining support for redistribution for different groups of the needy: A study of 28 post-communist countries

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore factors which may explain support for redistribution for different groups of the needy in 28 post-communist countries.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a cross-country survey (n=25,845), the authors evaluate preferences for redistribution to the elderly, the disabled, families with children, the working poor, and the unemployed.

Findings

People in post-communist countries made the distinction between deserving groups of the needy – the aged, the disabled, and families with children, and undeserving groups – the unemployed and the working poor. Among the individual-level factors, adherence to equality and attributing poverty to structural problems increased the probability of supporting redistribution. Among country-level factors, the authors’ results stress the positive influence of income inequality on support for redistribution for all groups of the needy under investigation. Notably, the authors did not find a negative influence of the business cycle on support for the working poor and unemployed.

Originality/value

This is the first paper that examines support for the needy in a diverse sample of 28 post-communist countries. The findings will help policy-makers and social administrators to better understand factors influencing support for redistribution toward different groups of the needy.

Citation

Habibov, N., Cheung, C.H. and Auchynnikava, A. (2018), "Explaining support for redistribution for different groups of the needy: A study of 28 post-communist countries", International Journal of Social Economics, Vol. 45 No. 2, pp. 402-418. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSE-04-2017-0156