Economics & Finance / Economic Theory / Behavioral Economics

This study explores the belief in a just world, which overcomes weak willpower and motivates oneself

Belief in a Just World and the Politics of Redistribution: Psychological and Economic Balance 正义世界信念与再分配政治：心理与经济平衡Why We Disagree on Fairness This study explores the belief in a just world, which overcomes weak willpower and motivates oneself or future generations to work hard, tending to uphold the idea of "good deeds bring good rewards" through cognitive dissonance. This psychological need generates two balances at the social level: one is the "American balance," exemplified by the United States, characterized by a pessimistic attitude towards striving to change one's fate, accompanied by high taxes, a broad welfare system, and lower social output. This theory further explains why poverty carries a moral stigma in some societies and analyzes how technological progress triggers a shift in society towards a more individualistic ideology. Furthermore, the study extends this logic to cultural dimensions such as consumerism, perceptions of happiness, and religious beliefs, revealing the self-reinforcing mechanisms between collective beliefs and institutions.