Why do Redistributive Policies Differ across Countries? Analyzing the Multiple Dimensions of Preferences for Redistribution

Why are some countries characterized by more income redistribution than others? Based mainly on Trans-Atlantic comparisons, the literature has referred to dissimilarities in preferences for redistribution. In this article, we extend focusing multiple dimensions of redistributive and adding Japan comparison. More precisely, using data France, US, from ISSP 2009, apply cross-sectional regression models Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition technique address two distinct questions about redistribution—the role government reducing gaps tax progressivity. We find that each these related different mechanisms: i.e. one depends individuals’ specific situations, such as income/wealth social beliefs, stressed literature, whereas other an unobservable but common factor within a country, historical cultural background society.