SOCIAL STATUS CONCERNS AND THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF PUBLICLY PROVIDED PRIVATE GOODS

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Friedrichsen, Jana; Konig, Tobias; Lausen, Tobias
• 署名单位: Humboldt University of Berlin; Leibniz Association; DIW Berlin - Deutsches Institut fur Wirtschaftsforschung; Linnaeus University; Leibniz University Hannover
• 刊物名称: ECONOMIC JOURNAL
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0013-0133
• DOI: 10.1093/ej/ueaa076
• 发表日期: 2021
• 页码: 220-246
• 关键词: redistribution evidence; in-kind; provision; preferences; education; countries; EQUALITY; school; NORMS; cash

摘要

We analyse the political economy of the public provision of private goods when individuals care about their social status. Status concerns motivate richer individuals to vote for the public provision of goods they themselves buy in markets: a higher provision level attracts more individuals to the public sector, enhancing the social exclusivity of market purchases. Majority voting may lead to a public provision that only a minority of citizens use. Users in the public sector may enjoy better provision than users in the private system. We characterise the coalitions that can prevail in a political equilibrium.