Prejudices and stereotypes are very important in explaining citizens' preferences regarding income redistribution. Although in many countries such as Spain regional inequality is a source of concern and political tension, there is a great lack of knowledge in society about what factors explain income differences between regions and why they are so persistent. Many people believe that these differences are due to contemporary or intrinsic factors of the regions, such as corruption, differences in work ethics or other values. These beliefs, in turn, can affect solidarity between regions and further reinforce these inequalities, making territorial cohesion more difficult.

The central objective of this project is to study, through experimental surveys, whether providing information on scientific studies related to the historical origins of regional income inequality affects citizens' preferences regarding regional income redistribution and cohesion.

This approach is motivated by a highly influential research agenda in economic history that shows that much of the geographic inequalities in wealth that we observe today have their origins in key historical events that shaped the future of regions and countries. To what extent is our society aware of this historical legacy? How do perceptions about the origin of wealth and inequality affect preferences for redistribution? Could providing information on this subject based on rigorous academic studies change citizens' attitudes? Answering these questions is particularly timely in the current context of political polarization, information manipulation, and the difficulty in building bridges between people and fostering social cohesion.