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  • Global inequality is rising, with an increasing gap between the top and bottom of society. However, international studies find no objective evidence of a growing public concern for inequality. One of the reasons behind this phenomenon is the growing perception that societal success is driven by meritocratic factors like hard work and less due to non-meritocratic factors like race, sex, and family background. However, these findings, referred to as the paradox of inequality, have not yet been tested in South Africa, the most unequal society in the world. Given the higher levels of inequality in South Africa, this study seeks to explore temporal changes in meritocratic and non-meritocratic beliefs in South Africa and their leading effects on political attitudes. Using International Social Survey Programme data for 2009 and 2019, we find that while inequality in South Africa has increased, meritocratic beliefs have declined, contradicting the paradox of inequality findings in the West. However, we also find that nonmeritocratic factors like sex, race and social connections are perceived as less critical for personal achievement, and factors like bribery and political connections have become more important for South Africans. Observing the impact of changing meritocratic and nonmeritocratic beliefs on political attitudes reveals that meritocratic beliefs, although declining, are positively associated with demand for redistribution, while non-meritocratic beliefs have little influence. Even those who strongly believe in a meritocracy still acknowledge the need for more redistribution and inequality reductions. This also provides evidence that the notion of high inequality that leads to stronger meritocratic beliefs and lower demand for redistribution cannot be applied to all countries, and South Africa should be treated heterogeneously from the West. Primarily since different dynamics and historical events influence the meritocratic and non-meritocratic beliefs of South Africans. (xsd:string)
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  • 2023 (xsd:gyear)
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  • The role of meritocratic and non-meritocratic beliefs in South Africa (xsd:string)
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