Publication details
Wealth Inequality in the Czech Republic: An Experimental Study on Bridging the Gap Between Perception and Reality
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2025 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | BULLETIN OF ECONOMIC RESEARCH |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| web | https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/boer.70003 |
| Doi | https://doi.org/10.1111/boer.70003 |
| Keywords | cognitive processing; corrective information; Czech Republic; inequality perceptions; political attitudes; redistribution preferences; survey experiment; wealth inequality |
| Description | This study explores the impact of corrective information on perceptions of wealth inequality and related political attitudes in the Czech Republic. A custom-designed survey experiment revealed the significant underestimation of wealth inequality, as reflected in a perceived Gini coefficient of 39.6, compared to an actual value of 67.5. Despite this stark misperception, the provision of accurate information did not significantly shift preferences concerning redistribution, anti-system sentiments, or political engagement. These findings diverge from previous research on income inequality, suggesting that wealth disparities are processed differently, most likely via heuristic rather than systematic cognition. Future research should aim to refine the respective information delivery methods and further investigate cognitive responses to data on inequality. |