%0 Generic
%A Balietti, Anca
%A Budjan, Angelika
%A Eymess, Tillmann
%C Heidelberg
%D 2023
%F heidok:33423
%K perceived relative income, voluntary contributions
%R 10.11588/heidok.00033423
%T Perceived Relative Income and Preferences for Public Good Provision
%U https://archiv.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/volltextserver/33423/
%V 0729
%X Guided by a theoretical framework, we study how perceived relative income affects preferences for public goods. In a randomized survey experiment, we inform respondents from India of their official income rank and elicit preferences for air quality, including actual contributions to environmental initiatives. Right-wing supporters withdraw contributions when perceived relative income increases. The effect coincides with diminished health concerns and lower intentions to utilize private protection measures against air pollution. In contrast, center-left supporters do not reduce contributions. A second survey experiment demonstrates the causality of the relationship using a novel treatment that exogenously shifts relative income perceptions.