期刊名称:Discussion Papers of the Department of Economics, University of St.Gallen = Diskussionspapiere der Volkswirtschaftlichen Abteilung der Universität St.Gallen
出版年度:2006
卷号:2006
出版社:Universität St. Gallen
摘要:Research evidence on the impact of relative income position on individual attitudes and behaviour is sorely lacking. Therefore, this paper assesses such positional impact on social capital by applying 14 different measurements to International Social Survey Programme data from 25 countries. We find support for a positional concern effect or ‘envy’ whose magnitude in several cases is quite substantial. The results indicate that such an effect is non-linear. In addition, we find an indication that absolute income level is also relevant. Lastly, changing the reference group (regional versus national) produces no significant differences in the results.