Social Mobility, Preferences for Redistribution and Happiness in Colombia

This paper evaluates the effect that income, social mobility, and social beliefs have on happiness and preferences for redistribution. Using data from the 2007 Encuesta Social y Política, the first section reveals that despite their pessimism in assessing their own mobility experiences, Colombians are quite optimistic when predicting future mobility, regardless of the income level. The second section shows that the wealthy, the highly mobile, and those who believe there is social justice are the happiest. Factors affecting subjective well-being trigger a corresponding demand for redistribution. The last section shows that the poor, the less mobile and those believing socioeconomic outcomes are unfair demand greater state intervention for redistributive matters.