Alexander W. Cappelen, Ranveig Falch, Erik O. Sorensen, Bertil Tungodden and Gus Wezerek write:

America will almost certainly emerge from the coronavirus pandemic as a different society. A new survey suggests the experience has already changed what we believe we owe our neighbors and how much economic inequality we find acceptable.

Seeking to understand how the crisis might affect Americans’ moral perspectives, Times Opinion partnered with Alexander W. Cappelen, Ranveig Falch, Erik O. Sorensen and Bertil Tungodden at FAIR — Centre for Experimental Research on Fairness, Inequality and Rationality. We surveyed a representative group of 8,000 Americans between March 18 and April 2. The results reveal a surprising paradox: The pandemic has increased Americans’ feelings of solidarity with others, but it has also increased their acceptance of inequalities due to luck.

These shifts may over time affect public opinion on policies for lessening the social and economic impact of the virus. The increase in solidarity has the potential to bolster unity among Americans and sharpen a focus on the more vulnerable groups in society. But the increase in acceptance of inequalities may work in the opposite direction, undermining efforts to help these groups and reduce inequalities. For the moment, the survey suggests that the shifts are effectively canceling out each other, leaving overall support for policies such as universal health care unchanged. [Continue reading…]