The paradox of inequality: income inequality and belief in meritocracy go hand in hand

Mijs, Jonathan J B (2019) The paradox of inequality: income inequality and belief in meritocracy go hand in hand. Socio-Economic Review. ISSN 1475-1461

Text (The paradox of inequality) - Accepted Version Download (1MB)

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• https://doi.org/10.1093/ser/mwy051

Abstract

Inequality is on the rise: gains have been concentrated with a small elite, while most have seen their fortunes stagnate or fall. Despite what scholars and journalists consider a worrying trend, there is no evidence of growing popular concern about inequality. In fact, research suggests that citizens in unequal societies are less concerned than those in more egalitarian societies. How to make sense of this paradox? I argue that citizens’ consent to inequality is explained by their growing conviction that societal success is reflective of a meritocratic process. Drawing on 25 years of International Social Survey Program data, I show that rising inequality is legitimated by the popular belief that the income gap is meritocratically deserved: the more unequal a society, the more likely its citizens are to explain success in meritocratic terms, and the less important they deem nonmeritocratic factors such as a person’s family wealth and connections.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	© 2019 Oxford University Press
Divisions:	International Inequalities Institute
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
Date Deposited:	06 Jun 2019 09:39
Last Modified:	12 Dec 2024 01:45
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/100794

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