Journal of Political Economy Vol. 133 No. 9 2025

Can Redistribution Change Policy Views? Aid and Attitudes toward Refugees

Travis Baseler^1,2,3,4,5; Thomas Ginn^1,2,3,4,5; Robert Hakiza^1,2,3,4,5; Helidah Ogude-Chambert^1,2,3,4,5; Olivia Woldemikael^1,2,3,4,5

¹ New School · ² Center for Global Development · ³ University of Oxford · ⁴ African Refuge · ⁵ University of Rochester

Abstract

Many public policies create winners and losers, but it is unclear whether redistribution can support new political economy equilibria that raise aggregate welfare. We study policies that partially redistribute foreign aid for refugees to natives while allowing refugees to work and move freely. Cash grants to Ugandan and Kenyan natives, labeled as aid from the refugee response, substantially increase support for refugee integration. Information about existing redistribution has significant but smaller effects. In contrast, intergroup contact yields no persistent, measurable effects. Our results indicate that economic interventions can shape policy views even on issues influenced by cultural concerns, such as immigration.

DOI

10.1086/736209

Volume

133

Issue

9

Pages

2874-2917

Language

en

Sources

bibtex:phds-export.bib openalex crossref

Cite

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