Work

Social gaps, perceived inequality and protests

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Latent feelings of economic vulnerability and social stagnation may have catalyzed the unprecedented uprisings that shook Latin America and other parts of the world in 2018-2019. We document this process in the context of Chile, leveraging survey data on protest participation and its potential determinants. Specifically, we construct a social gap index, measuring the disconnect between objective and perceived social status. Our findings suggest that this social gap predicts protest involvement beyond factors such as perceived living costs, the subjective value of public services, peer influence, or political demands. Notably, it complements broader feelings of anger toward inequalities in explaining protests.

Source: World Development

DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2025.107248

Authors: Olivier Bargain, H. Xavier Jara, David Rivera

Institutions: Université de Bordeaux, Institut Universitaire de France, IZA - Institute of Labor Economics, London School of Economics and Political Science

Language: English

Topic: Latin American socio-political dynamics

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Peace, justice, and strong institutions, No poverty

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $5,895