Entry:

Haller, Max and Hoellinger, Franz, "Meritocracy and Welfare State as Ideologies of Social Equality: A Comparison of Attitudes in Western Germany and the United States," Working Paper No. 1, Institute for Sociology of Karl-Franzens, University of Graz, 1986.


Abstract:

The United States has gone farther toward the realization of a "meritocratic society" than West Germany.

GSS Years:

1984

Other Data Sets:

ALLBUS 1984

GSS Codebook Variables referenced by document:

Variable Name

Variable Label

 
 
EQUAL1

EVERYONE SHOULD LOOK OUT FOR SELF

EQUAL2

BUSINESS PROFITS BENEFIT ALL

EQUAL3

GOVT SHLD INSURE JOBS AND STABLE PRICES

EQUAL4

RESPONSIBILITY OF GOVT TO MEET NEEDS

EQUAL5

SOCIAL WELFARE BENEFITS ARE DISINCENTIVE

EQUAL6

ONE IS ABLE TO LIVE WELL IN AMERICA

EQUAL7

BUSINESS PROFITS ARE DISTRIBUTED FAIRLY

EQUAL8

SOCIAL STANDING DUE TO ABILITY

USCLASS1

TRADITIONAL CLASS DIVISIONS STILL REMAIN

USCLASS2

ACHIEVEMENT DEPENDS ON FAMILY BACKGROUND

USCLASS3

ACHIEVEMENT DEPENDS ON EDUC AND ABILITY

USCLASS4

ONES OWN EFFORTS DONT COUNT

USCLASS5

PERSONAL INCOME NOT DETERMINED BY WORK

USCLASS6

DIFFERENCES IN CLASS ARE AN INCENTIVE

USCLASS7

DIFFERENCES IN CLASS REFLECT OWN EFFORT

USCLASS8

SOCIAL DIFFERENCES ARE ACCEPTABLE