Impersonal trust in a Just and Unjust world: Evidence from an educational intervention

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Alan, Sule; Kubilay, Elif
• 署名单位: European University Institute; University of Essex; European University Institute
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0304-3878
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2022.103044
• 发表日期: 2023
• 关键词: Impersonal trust; Prosperity; INEQUALITY; education

摘要

We provide causal evidence on how impersonal trust and reciprocity create prosperity and shape its distribution. For this, we leverage a large-scale randomized educational intervention that boosts trust and reciprocity in children. We show that in a world where individuals trust anonymous others, prosperity grows but so does inequality. While impersonal trust unambiguously creates wealth, redistribution is needed to tame the inequality it brings. Our results suggest that harnessing prosocial psychology through educational actions may pave the way for a prosperous and just society. However, for these actions to ultimately achieve this end, they should be pervasive and universally accessible.