Sociologický časopis / Czech Sociological Review 2012, 48(1): 65-84 | DOI: 10.13060/00380288.2012.48.1.03

Continuity and Change in Beliefs about Distributive Justice: the Czech Republic between 1991 and 2009

Petr Matějů, Michael L. Smith
1 Vysoká škola finanční a správní, Praha
2 Sociologický ústav AV ČR, v.v.i., Praha

The article analyses changes in beliefs about distributive justice in the Czech Republic from 1991 to 2009 in an international comparative perspective. Based on previous analyses and published work, the article formulates the hypothesis that the process of crystallisation of the two main ideologies or norms of distributive justice, namely meritocratic and egalitarian ideologies, which was confirmed in analyses carried out from 1991 to 1995, continued in later years. The article draws on the fundamental theories of distributive justice and utilises data from surveys carried out in 1991, 1995, 2006 and 2009, which the authors analyse in terms of measurement and structural models. The models confirm the hypothesis that the crystallisation of norms of distributive justice continued in more recent years, and that at present these norms are internally structured in almost the same way as in advanced democracies. These norms are thus closely tied to the stratification system, which means that meritocracy has solidified its position as the dominant norm of distributive justice, whereas egalitarianism has gradually become a 'challenging' norm preferred by individuals in lower-status positions in the stratification system.

Keywords: distributive justice, legitimacy of inequality, meritocracy, redistribution, stratification, social transformation.

Published: February 1, 2012Show citation

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Matějů, P., & Smith, M.L. (2012). Continuity and Change in Beliefs about Distributive Justice: the Czech Republic between 1991 and 2009. Sociologický časopis / Czech Sociological Review, 48(1), 65-84. doi: 10.13060/00380288.2012.48.1.03.
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