DP 0255 - ‘Robin Hood in Reverse’: persistence and barriers to redistributive fiscal policy

Despite improvements in the living conditions of population, there has not been a significant change income disparities. Since growth left-wing parties and political competition as per median voter hypothesis do stand Brazilian case, what could explain tenacity inequality country? To answer this, paper, grounded new institutionalism theory, employed process-tracing method to explore causes continuity unequal distribution Brazil. The inquiry tests mechanism using case redistributive fiscal policy literature electoral rules business influence system. This analysis reinforces that government only misuses its instruments distribute income, but also acts ‘Robin Hood reverse’: is, it withdraws from those who have less subsidize or pay transfers more.