Research

Perceptions of Own Social Class and Local Affluence: Effects on Preferences for Redistribution

With Javier Olivera, I study how perceptions of own social class and local affluence shape support for economic redistribution in Lima. In an online survey experiment, respondents were randomly informed about either their actual socio-economic status or the true share of affluent households in their district. Respondents substantially overestimated their own socio-economic status and, to a lesser extent, local affluence; correcting these misperceptions generally increased support for redistribution, with no effect on a wealth-tax proposal.

Labor Flexibilization and Employment Sorting

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I study Peru’s 2021 agrarian reform to examine who bears the cost of mandated benefits when firms have wage-setting power. The reform increased non-wage labor costs for covered agrarian and agroindustrial firms, while formal employment rose, cash wages stayed roughly flat, and pre-tax profit margins fell. I argue that this pattern is difficult to reconcile with competitive incidence, but consistent with benefit mandates redistributing part of firm rents when cash wages are constrained by a statutory wage floor.

Voice Messages and Early Immunization: A Field Experiment?

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With Kristian Lopez, Sandro Parodi, and Indhira Ramirez, I study whether pre-recorded voice reminders can improve early immunization behavior in the Dominican Republic. In a field experiment targeting households with pregnant women or young children, we evaluate reminder messages and find significant spillover effects from messages delivered in the Vice-President’s voice.

Do Informal Workers in Small Firms Self-Insure for Retirement?