סמינר בהתנהגות ארגונית

ד״ר אנה דורפמן

ניר קפטן 

אוניברסיטת תל-אביב

Across the globe, economic inequality is growing, and carrying numerous adverse consequences. We highlight the critical role played by the perceived legitimacy of the causes of hierarchical advancement in sustaining and deepening economic inequality. Using a multi-level perspective, our analyses of a large-scale representative survey from 40 countries show a universal, pervasive lay belief in merit’s centrality for getting ahead, that is predicted by individual-level SES and country-level wealth. An experimental study provides causal evidence that merit-based advancement leads people to perceive income inequality as more fair and, consequently, reduces support for redistribution policies. This research reveals an important theoretical route— the pervasive belief in merit's centrality—through which people around the world justify inequality, with broad implications for public policy.