The effect of culture on fiscal redistribution: Evidence based on genetic, epidemiological and linguistic data

Kammas, Pantelis and Kazakis, Pantelis and Sarantides, Vassilis (2017): The effect of culture on fiscal redistribution: Evidence based on genetic, epidemiological and linguistic data.

Abstract

Using a set of innovative instruments we investigate the effect of collectivist culture on fiscal redistribution. Our analysis suggests that societies characterized by less collectivistic culture present higher levels of fiscal redistribution, as proxied by government subsidies and transfers as well as health and education expenses.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Culture, Redistribution, Public goods
• Subjects: H - Public Economics > H4 - Publicly Provided Goods > H40 - General; H - Public Economics > H4 - Publicly Provided Goods > H41 - Public Goods; Z - Other Special Topics > Z1 - Cultural Economics ; Economic Sociology ; Economic Anthropology > Z10 - General; Z - Other Special Topics > Z1 - Cultural Economics ; Economic Sociology ; Economic Anthropology > Z13 - Economic Sociology ; Economic Anthropology ; Social and Economic Stratification

References

Desmet, K., Ortuno-Ortin, I., Weber, S., (2009). Linguistic diversity and redistribution. Journal of European Economic Association 7, 1291-1318.

Gorodnichenko, Y., and G. Roland (2016). Culture, institutions and the wealth of nations. Review of Economics and Statistics (forthcoming).

Guiso, L., Sapienza, P., Zingales, L., (2006). Does culture affect economic outcomes? Journal of Economic Perspectives 20, 23-48.

Hofstede, G. (2001). Culture’s Consequences: Comparing Values, Behaviors, and Organizations Across Nations. 2nd edition. Sage Publications.

Kashima, E., and Y. Kashima (1998). Culture and language: The case of cultural dimensions and personal pronoun use. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology 29, 461-486.

Licht, A. N., C. Goldschmidt, Schwartz, S., (2007). Culture Rules: The Foundations of the Rule of Law and Other Norms of Governance. Journal of Comparative Economics 35(4), 659-688.

Murray, D., and M. Schaller (2010). Historical Prevalence of Infectious Diseases Within 230 Geopolitical Regions: A Tool for Investigating Origins of Culture. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology 41, 99–108.

Spolaore, E., and R. Wacziarg (2013). How Deep Are the Roots of Economic Development? Journal of Economic Literature 51, 325-369.

Tabellini, G., (2008). Institutions and Culture. Journal of European Economic Association 6, 255-294.

Triandis, H. (1995). Individualism and Collectivism. Westview press.

Way, B.M. and M.D. Lieberman (2010). Is there a genetic contribution to cultural differences? collectivism, individualism and genetic markers of social sensitivity. Social Cognitive & Affective Neuroscience 5, 203-211.