The Rich Have a Slight Edge: Evidence from Comparative Data on Income-Based Inequality in Policy Congruence

Abstract Several recent studies have found unequal policy responsiveness, meaning that the preferences of high-income citizens are better reflected in implemented policies than low-income citizens. This has been mainly a few from US and small number single-country Western Europe. However, there is lack comparative stake out terrain across broader group countries. We analyze survey data on about 3,000 proposals thirty European countries over nearly forty years, combined with information whether each proposal was or not. The results cross-country confirm general pattern previous supported by rich more likely to be those poor. also test four explanations commonly literature: responsiveness exacerbated (a) high economic inequality, (b) absence campaign finance regulations, (c) low union density, (d) voter turnout.