A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
The role of information in choices over income distributions
Authors: Herne K, Suojanen M
Publisher: SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC
Publication year: 2004
Journal: Journal of Conflict Resolution
Journal name in source: JOURNAL OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Journal acronym: J CONFLICT RESOLUT
Volume: 48
Issue: 2
First page : 173
Last page: 193
Number of pages: 21
ISSN: 0022-0027
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0022002703262859
Abstract
How people distribute income is investigated, using participants in two experimental treatments-one with and the other without a veil of ignorance. The experiment tests two major hypotheses: (1) the veil of ignorance generates Rawlsian choices, and (2) equal bargaining power and the veto rule generate Rawlsian choices, even though there is no veil of ignorance. Rawlsian choices are defined as those that maximize the income of the lowest income group. Results show that the proportion of Rawlsian choices is bigger in those groups in which there is no veil of ignorance. In group discussions, arguments related to justice are also more common in the no veil of ignorance than in the veil of ignorance treatment.
How people distribute income is investigated, using participants in two experimental treatments-one with and the other without a veil of ignorance. The experiment tests two major hypotheses: (1) the veil of ignorance generates Rawlsian choices, and (2) equal bargaining power and the veto rule generate Rawlsian choices, even though there is no veil of ignorance. Rawlsian choices are defined as those that maximize the income of the lowest income group. Results show that the proportion of Rawlsian choices is bigger in those groups in which there is no veil of ignorance. In group discussions, arguments related to justice are also more common in the no veil of ignorance than in the veil of ignorance treatment.
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