Zero-sum thinking, the notion that resources and opportunities are fixed and that one party’s gain equals another’s loss, is becoming more widespread in Western societies, particularly among younger people.
Public discourse increasingly frames societal issues as competitions for limited resources—for example, immigrants “taking jobs,” or women impacting men’s employment. American research by economists Stefanie Stantcheva and Sahil Chinoy reveals that Gen Z and millennials are more likely than older generations to view the world as a fixed pie, signaling deeper penetration of this belief in younger cohorts. This mindset is not confined to the economically disadvantaged; even those earning high incomes or with advanced degrees in urban areas often exhibit zero-sum views.
Urban residents, particularly in large cities like New York, show stronger zero-sum attitudes, possibly linked to visible inequality and scarcity of housing.
Zero-sum beliefs carry significant consequences for social trust, institutional confidence, and political preferences. In a 37-nation study, individuals endorsing the idea that “if someone gets richer, someone else gets poorer” were also more cynical about institutions and less likely to volunteer, threatening social solidarity. Such attitudes correlate strongly with demand for greater government redistribution and immigration restrictions, combining calls for expanded state roles with protectionist stances. Yet, an ever-growing state may further entrench economic stagnation and decline, as zero-sum thinking limits innovative solutions.
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https://archive.is/20260830061052/https://www.ft.com/content/492134e9-49eb-4f13-b70a-b2b595ed0e2a#selection-1541.0-1541.51
Zero-sum thinking, the notion that resources and opportunities are fixed and that one party’s gain equals another’s loss, is becoming more widespread in Western societies, particularly among younger people.
Public discourse increasingly frames societal issues as competitions for limited resources—for example, immigrants “taking jobs,” or women impacting men’s employment. American research by economists Stefanie Stantcheva and Sahil Chinoy reveals that Gen Z and millennials are more likely than older generations to view the world as a fixed pie, signaling deeper penetration of this belief in younger cohorts. This mindset is not confined to the economically disadvantaged; even those earning high incomes or with advanced degrees in urban areas often exhibit zero-sum views.
Urban residents, particularly in large cities like New York, show stronger zero-sum attitudes, possibly linked to visible inequality and scarcity of housing.
Zero-sum beliefs carry significant consequences for social trust, institutional confidence, and political preferences. In a 37-nation study, individuals endorsing the idea that “if someone gets richer, someone else gets poorer” were also more cynical about institutions and less likely to volunteer, threatening social solidarity. Such attitudes correlate strongly with demand for greater government redistribution and immigration restrictions, combining calls for expanded state roles with protectionist stances. Yet, an ever-growing state may further entrench economic stagnation and decline, as zero-sum thinking limits innovative solutions.