A Meritocratic Origin of Egalitarian Behaviour

Abstract We report from a study of how uncertainty about whether given inequality reflects performance or luck shapes distributive behaviour. show theoretically that the reaction to depends on people trade-off probability making mistake when redistributing, and size this mistake. experimentally causes strong egalitarian pull among majority meritocratic individuals. The theoretical framework experimental results are supported in general population surveys United States Norway. Our findings suggest handle source may be great importance for understanding conflicts society.