Pandemic and progressivity

Based on a survey of 2500 US adults, we show that serious illness or job losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic increase support for temporary progressive levies or structural progressive tax reform, controlling for socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. People who reveal preferences for spending items (more on police, military, border protection; less on education, health, environment) that are associated with communitarian (rather than universalist) moral perspectives show generally weaker support for progressive reforms, but more of them change their views following personal experience. The results are consistent with previous findings that economic upheavals can mold individuals’ views on policy matters. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10797-021-09700-2.