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<p>An empirical analysis of voters’ demands for redistributive measures during the energy crisis in Germany reveals three characteristic features of inconsistent preferences. First, although people favour targeted support for the disadvantaged, they deviate from this principle when confronted with policy proposals. Second, policies are often evaluated along party preferences, thus contradicting the exclusion of higher-income classes from support policies. Third, drawing on the Sinus-Milieu model, we identify different mentalities that lead to disapproval of the attitudes towards the disadvantaged. We conclude that managing expectations through policies and fostering personal responsibility on the part of both beneficiaries and benefactors of the welfare state will be crucial for successful future transition policies.</p>
</abstract>

An empirical analysis of voters’ demands for redistributive measures during the energy crisis in Germany reveals three characteristic features of inconsistent preferences. First, although people favour targeted support for the disadvantaged, they deviate from this principle when confronted with policy proposals. Second, policies are often evaluated along party preferences, thus contradicting the exclusion of higher-income classes from support policies. Third, drawing on the Sinus-Milieu model, we identify different mentalities that lead to disapproval of the attitudes towards the disadvantaged. We conclude that managing expectations through policies and fostering personal responsibility on the part of both beneficiaries and benefactors of the welfare state will be crucial for successful future transition policies.

Middle Without Measure? Contradictory Demands for Relief

Wirtschaftsdienst

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Mitte ohne Maß? Widersprüchliche Entlastungsforderungen

An empirical analysis of voters’ demands for redistributive measures during the energy crisis in Germany reveals three characteristic features of inconsistent...

Middle Without Measure? Contradictory Demands for Relief

Published Online: Mar 01, 2023

Page range: 130 - 136

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/wd-2023-0036

© 2023 Knut Bergmann et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.