Harnessing the Identifiability Effect to Enhance Public Support for Redistribution
Abstract
This article proposes a new method of increasing public support for redistribution through tax-and-transfer law by harnessing the psychological phenomenon known as the identifiability effect. Enhancing such support is crucial, as implementing or sustaining redistributive measures is difficult in the face of unsympathetic public opinion. The article reports on the findings of two original, pre-registered experiments that substantiate the theoretical argument. The findings reveal that minimal and noninvasive identification of a single recipient can enhance people's support for redistributive taxes, including direct income transfers, that would benefit the entire group of welfare beneficiaries. These results are relevant for the literatures on redistribution and the identifiability effect, as well as for policymakers.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Public Policy and Administration Research
Social Policy and Reform Studies
Healthcare innovation and challenges
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of law & empirical analysis.
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Volume
- 3
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 153–178
- Publication date
- 16 April 2026
- Language
- EN