Document Type
Working Paper
Publication Date
2025
Abstract
This study uses survey responses to explore how support for basic income and universal healthcare is linked to zero-sum thinking and meritocratic beliefs. Consistent with earlier work, I find that zero-sum thinking and weaker meritocratic beliefs both lead to greater levels of support for basic income and universal healthcare. Using a path analysis, zero-sum thinking is also found to strengthen support for basic income and universal healthcare along two separate channels -- one via zero-sum thinking’s direct effect on policy support and a second via an indirect effect, whereby zero-sum thinking is attached to weaker beliefs in meritocracy, which in turn lead to increased policy support. These results suggest that zero-sum thinking plays an important role in shaping support for progressive policies, and that the multifaceted connection between zero-sum thinking and policy support likely serves as a barrier to widespread recognition, appreciation, and promotion of the positive-sum consequences of these policies.
Recommended Citation
Chavanne, David, "Zero-sum thinking, meritocratic beliefs, and preferences for basic income and universal healthcare" (2025). Economics Faculty Publications. 44.
https://digitalcommons.conncoll.edu/econfacpub/44
Included in
The views expressed in this paper are solely those of the author.