The impact of group size on giving versus demand for redistribution

We report the results of an online experiment studying preferences for giving and preferences for group-wide redistribution in small (4-person) and large (200-person) groups. We find that the desire to engage in voluntary giving decreases significantly with (perceived) group size. However, voting for group-wide redistribution is precisely estimated to not depend on group size. Moreover, people’s perceptions of what constitutes the relevant group are malleable, and affect their desire to give. These results suggest that government programs, such as progressive tax-and-transfer systems, can help satisfy other-regarding preferences for redistribution in a way that creating opportunities for voluntary giving cannot. •We study preferences for giving and for redistribution in small and large groups.•The desire to give decreases with group size.•Preferences for redistribution do not depend on group size.•People’s perceptions of what constitutes a group are malleable.