Who supports redistributive policies in contemporary Japan? An integrative approach to self-interest and trust models

Abstract

This article investigates determinants of support for redistributive policies by taking an integrative approach with two main models that explain welfare attitudes: a self-interest model and a trust model. While the former focuses on effects of social positions and the latter focuses on effects of trust, there might be interactive effects between these two factors. The authors focus on three types of trust – generalized trust, primordial trust, and trust in institutions – and analyze how trust intervenes in effects of self-interest. They analyze data from a public opinion survey conducted in Japan, and present the results. Whereas generalized trust and trust in institutions alleviate effects of self-interest, primordial trust strengthens them. Furthermore, generalized trust increases support for selective redistributive policies regardless of one’s socio-economic status. These results prove that trust works differently according to one’s socio-economic position and that the three types of trust play different roles in support for redistribution policies.