Perceptions of Anomie in Society Shape Support for Wealth Redistribution

Understanding the factors that influence support for wealth redistribution is essential to address growing economic divides around the world. We propose that perceptions of anomie—the belief that society’s social and political fabric is crumbling—can influence support for redistribution in opposing ways. When people see society as deteriorating, they may seek drastic change, increasing support for redistribution. Conversely, viewing society as descending into anomie may foster distrust in the government’s capacity to manage redistribution, thereby reducing support. Study 1 examined these relationships in a U.S. sample, confirming these two opposing pathways, and Study 2 then replicated the findings in the UK. Study 3 tested this model experimentally, introducing the novel ‘anomie paradigm’ to explore how perceptions of anomie cause shifts in psychology. Here, participants were exposed to a fictitious society characterized by high or low anomie. The high (relative to low) anomie condition increased support for redistribution through a desire for change but simultaneously decreased support via concerns over government misuse. As societal fragmentation and a sense of disintegration become the zeitgeist of our time, understanding the broader psychological impacts of these perceptions may be critical for navigating an increasingly uncertain future.