Income inequality and solidarity in Europe

摘要: Abstract This paper studies the relationship between income inequality, a macro-level characteristic, and solidarity of Europeans. To this aim, is defined as ‘willingness to contribute welfare other people’. We rely on theoretical idea according which feelings are derived from both affective calculating considerations – we derive competing hypotheses relating extent inequality these ‘underlying’ motivations for solidarity. Using data 1999 European Values Study (EVS), apply multilevel analysis 26 countries. Controlling household range characteristics, find evidence that in more unequal countries people less willing take action improve living conditions their fellow-countrymen. true respondents low- high-income households. According our framework, finding suggests that, at least when measured terms people’, seem be influenced strongly by affective, rather than considerations.