Distributional preference in Japan. (25th October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kameda, Keigo; Sato, Miho
• Is Part Of: Japanese economic review. Volume 68:Number 3(2017:Sep.)
• Page Start: 394
• Page End: 408
• Publication Date: 2016-10-25
• Subjects: D31 -- D63 -- H61; Economics -- Periodicals; 330
• DOI: 10.1111/jere.12112
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1352-4739

Abstract

Abstract : Using experiments developed by Engelmann and Strobel (2004 ), this study investigates distributional preference in Japan. We find that just over half the people in the study have a maximin preference, approximately 7 to 19% have an efficiency preference, approximately 8% have a self‐interest preference, and approximately 18% chose the allocation that would reduce the payoff to the rich and the poor, given that her/his payoff would remain constant. The last preference could be interpreted as what is referred to as "malice", "deep envy" or a "feeling of vulnerability" in behavioural economics and cross‐cultural psychology.