Economic experiences and positive-sum beliefs

Abstract We investigate the socioeconomic correlates of positive-sum thinking, defined as the belief that economic and social interactions can generate mutually beneficial outcomes rather than purely redistributive gains. Positive-sum beliefs are relevant not only for individual attitudes but also for economic development, since they may support trust, cooperation, innovation, trade openness, entrepreneurship, and demand for pro-development institutions. Using representative Italian survey data, we document that secondary education, entrepreneurship, engagement in the third sector, retirement, and having more than one child are positively associated with positive-sum thinking. We interpret these associations through a generativity lens, according to which some socioeconomic roles may expose individuals to situations in which actions create value both for themselves and for others. Overall, the findings are consistent with the idea that beliefs about economic interactions are related not only to ideology, but also to experiential exposure to socially and economically generative activities. More broadly, the findings suggest a possible direction for future research on cumulative social, occupational, relational, and institutional exposures (social exposome) that may be associated with whether individuals perceive economic life as zero-sum or positive-sum.