Inequality, Decisions, and Altruism

Abstract

We argue that sociological analyses of inequality could benefit from engaging the literatures on decision-making. In turn, a sociological focus on how contexts and structural constraints influence the outcomes of decisions and the strategies social groups can use in pursuit of their goals could inform our understanding of decision-making. We consider a simple two-class model of income and the need of capitalists and workers to mobilize resources to influence the adaptive landscape that shapes responses to decisions. We then examine the implications of the rational actor model and the heuristics and biases literature for class-based decision-making. We consider the importance of altruism in mobilizing collective action, and we offer some evidence that altruism is most common in the middle ranges of income and that altruism is a major influence on support for redistributive policies. These results, while tentative, suggest the value of having scholars of development and inequality engage with the literatures on decision-making.

Environmentalism, norms, and identity

“…Altruism matters because environmental problems nearly always involve a tragedy of the commons that cannot easily be resolved by pure self-interest (5). It has long been argued that the disadvantaged will be more altruistic and the privileged less altruistic than others (6,7). Norms form the bridge between altruistic values and environmental action (8) Given the importance of perceived norms in shaping behavior, the environmental belief paradox could contribute substantially to the underrepresentation of Asians, blacks, and Latinos in the ranks of environmental professionals.…”

Exploring the Place of Animals and Human–Animal Relationships in Hydraulic Fracturing Discourse

“…Identity and value structures are known to play a role in how people think about various environmental issues (see, e.g., Dietz and Whitley 2018b) and may also be important in how people think about the intersection of energy development, humans and animals. More attention should also be placed on looking at how racially diverse communities consider these issues in order to challenge the assumption that communities of color do not care about environmental issues or animals (see, e.g., Dietz and Whitley 2018a). Further, research shows that framing HVHHF in terms of impacts on animals may be powerful in generating greater concern (see, e.g., Whitley 2017).…”

Political events and public views on climate change

“…We need more analyses of this sort, as well as analyses that trace causal influence in the opposite direction, from citizens and consumers to large-scale social change. The processes by which changes in individual beliefs, norms, and actions influence businesses and government are complex and fraught with sharp power differentials between the average citizen or consumer and the powerful individuals and organizations that shape policy and the economy (Dietz and Whitley 2018). But individuals do have an impact, and we need a better understanding of how it unfolds.…”