Where you think you are in society (not where you actually are) matters for how you think about inequality – The Conversation

Report on the Influence of Subjective Social Status on Policies for Sustainable Development Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

Introduction and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

This report examines the relationship between an individual’s subjective social status—their perceived position in the social hierarchy—and their support for economic redistribution. This analysis is critical for understanding the political dynamics that underpin the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 1 (No Poverty). The research investigates why public support for policies aimed at reducing inequality varies, revealing that perception of social rank is a more significant driver than objective economic reality. This has profound implications for creating the political will necessary to build the equitable societies envisioned in the 2030 Agenda.

Research Methodology and Scope

The analysis is based on a comprehensive study with the following parameters:

• Data Set: Survey data from over 51,000 individuals.
• Geographic Scope: 25 countries, allowing for cross-national comparison.
• Core Metric: A self-assessment tool where respondents placed themselves on a ten-rung ladder representing their society’s hierarchy.
• Primary Outcome: The study measures the correlation between this self-assessed subjective social status and support for redistributive policies, such as progressive taxation and government intervention to reduce income disparities.

Key Findings: The Primacy of Perception in Achieving SDG 10

The research identified several key findings that highlight the importance of perception in shaping public attitudes towards inequality, which directly impacts the feasibility of implementing SDG 10.

1. Subjective Status Overrides Objective Class: An individual’s perceived social rank is a more powerful predictor of their support for redistribution than their actual income or occupation. This demonstrates that political attitudes are shaped by perceived realities, which in turn have tangible consequences for policy support.
2. Discrepancy Between Perception and Reality: A significant portion of the population misperceives their social standing, which complicates efforts to build broad-based support for policies related to SDG 10.
   • One in five individuals who place themselves in the top third of society are, in fact, from the working class.
   • Conversely, one in five who see themselves in the bottom third are high-income earners within their country.
3. Lower Perceived Status Drives Support for Redistribution: Individuals who feel they are at the bottom of the social ladder consistently support government action to reduce inequality. This cohort represents a foundational base of support for policies aimed at achieving SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10.

The Role of National Inequality Levels in Shaping Attitudes

The level of ambient economic inequality within a country significantly moderates the attitudes of those who perceive themselves as privileged. This context is crucial for tailoring strategies to advance SDG 10 globally.

• In High-Inequality Nations: Individuals with a high subjective social status are often more supportive of redistribution. The visibility of stark inequality appears to trigger altruistic concerns or fear of social instability, motivating the privileged to support government interventions. For instance, a person who feels they are near the top in the highly unequal United States is 31% more likely to support redistribution than their counterpart in the more equal society of Denmark.
• In Low-Inequality Nations: Those who feel privileged are less likely to support further redistribution. In these societies, the perceived lack of severe social problems reduces the sense of urgency, posing a challenge for maintaining progress on the SDGs.

Implications for Policy and the 2030 Agenda

The findings offer critical insights for policymakers, civil society, and international organizations working to implement the Sustainable Development Goals.

• Advancing SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): To build consensus for equitable policies, campaigns must target citizens’ perceptions of their social standing and the fairness of the societal structure, not just present objective economic data.
• Strengthening SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): Understanding the subjective drivers of political behaviour is essential for building the effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions required to implement the 2030 Agenda. Public perception directly influences political participation, support for populism, and trust in governance.
• Achieving the Overarching Goal to “Leave No One Behind”: The research confirms that politics is driven as much by perception as by reality. Therefore, making progress on the entire SDG framework requires a sophisticated understanding of how citizens see themselves and their societies. Engaging with these subjective realities is key to mobilizing the collective action needed to create a more sustainable and equitable world.

Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• The article’s central theme is economic inequality, directly aligning with SDG 10. It explicitly discusses the vast wealth gap, citing that in the UK, “the richest 10% of households holds nearly half of all wealth, while millions struggle to make ends meet.” The research presented analyzes why people support policies aimed at reducing this inequality, such as “progressive taxation or government efforts to reduce income inequality.”

SDG 1: No Poverty

• The article connects to SDG 1 by highlighting the consequences of economic inequality, noting that “millions struggle to make ends meet.” This phrase points to conditions of poverty or near-poverty that policies of redistribution, which are a focus of the article, aim to alleviate.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• The article links perceptions of inequality to political stability and the functioning of democratic societies. It states that how people perceive their social standing can shape “what policies (and parties) they support” and affects “populist attitudes, electoral participation and support for far-right parties.” This relates to building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions, as high inequality can threaten the social and political system, prompting even the privileged to support redistribution out of “fear for their own safety.”

Specific SDG Targets

1. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.1: By 2030, progressively achieve and sustain income growth of the bottom 40 per cent of the population at a rate higher than the national average.
     • The article’s focus on “reducing income inequality” and the struggles of those who “feel at the bottom of the social ladder” directly relates to improving the economic situation of the lowest earners.
   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of… economic or other status.
     • The research explores how subjective social status—a feeling of inclusion or exclusion—drives political support for redistribution. It discusses how perceptions shape political behavior, which is a core component of political inclusion.
   • Target 10.4: Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality.
     • The article directly refers to policies like “progressive taxation” and “government efforts to reduce income inequality” as key measures that are supported or opposed based on perceived social status.

2. SDG 1: No Poverty

   • Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.
     • The mention of “millions struggle to make ends meet” describes a population living in or at risk of poverty. The discussion on redistribution policies is directly aimed at alleviating such financial hardship.

3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.
     • The article explains how perceptions of inequality influence “electoral participation” and support for different political parties and policies. It highlights that understanding these perceptions is “key to making sense of contemporary politics,” which is fundamental to ensuring decision-making is responsive to the population’s sentiments.

Implied or Mentioned Indicators

1. Gini Coefficient

   • The article implicitly refers to the Gini coefficient, a common measure of income inequality, when it compares the US as an “unequal country” to the “more equal Denmark.” It includes a hyperlink to the World Bank’s Gini indicator data to support this comparison. This is a direct indicator for measuring progress on SDG 10.

2. Wealth/Income Concentration

   • The article provides a specific data point: “In the UK, the richest 10% of households holds nearly half of all wealth.” This measure of wealth concentration is a key indicator used to assess the level of economic inequality within a country (relevant to Target 10.1).

3. Public Perception of Social Status

   • The primary indicator discussed in the article is a perceptual one, derived from survey data where respondents “placed themselves on a ten-rung ladder representing society.” The author argues this measure of “subjective social status” is a “powerful predictor of support for redistribution” and thus an essential indicator for understanding the political feasibility of inequality-reducing policies (relevant to Target 10.4).

4. Public Support for Redistributive Policies

   • The research measures “support for redistribution, such as progressive taxation or government efforts to reduce income inequality.” The level of public support for these policies, measured through surveys, serves as an indicator of public demand for government action on inequality (relevant to Target 10.4).

5. Political Participation and Attitudes

   • The article implies that “electoral participation,” “populist attitudes,” and “support for far-right parties” can be used as indicators. It suggests that these political behaviors are consequences of perceived inequality and can signal threats to inclusive and stable institutions (relevant to Target 16.7).

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

Source: theconversation.com