1972-1994 General Social Survey Cumulative File


Need for Inequality


goodlife           STANDARD OF LIVING OF R WILL IMPROVE

     The way things are in America, people like me and my
     family have a good chance of improving our standard of
     living -- do you agree or disagree?

       PCT      N  VALUE  LABEL
      15.0    445      1  STRONGLY AGREE
      52.0   1548      2  AGREE
      15.0    447      3  NEITHER
      15.2    452      4  DISAGREE
       2.8     84      5  STRONGLY DISAGREE
               56      8  CANT CHOOSE
               32      9  NA
            29316      .  (No Data)
            -----
            32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min: 1     MD Codes: 0
     Decimals:   0     Max: 5

     Input location: 1/2353


incentiv           PAY DIFFERENCES NEEDED FOR MOTIVATION

     Some people earn a lot of money while others do not
     earn very much at all. In order to get people to work
     hard, do you think large differences in pay are...

       PCT      N  VALUE  LABEL
      20.7    302      1  ABSOLUTELY NECCESSARY
      52.0    759      2  PROBABLY NECCESSARY
      20.6    301      3  PROBABLY NOT NECC
       6.6     97      4  DEFINITELY NOT NECC
               80      8  CANT CHOOSE
               25      9  NA
            30816      .  (No Data)
            -----
            32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min: 1     MD Codes: 0
     Decimals:   0     Max: 4

     Input location: 1/2354


inequal1           EXTRA PAY -> PEOPLE TAKE RESPONSIBILITY

     Do you agree or disagree: A. People would not want to
     take extra responsibility at work unless they were
     paid extra for it.

       PCT      N  VALUE  LABEL
      19.6    297      1  STRONGLY AGREE
      51.9    788      2  AGREE
      11.2    170      3  NEITHER
      15.4    234      4  DISAGREE
       2.0     30      5  STRONGLY DISAGREE
               17      8  CANT CHOOSE
               28      9  NA
            30816      .  (No Data)
            -----
            32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min: 1     MD Codes: 0
     Decimals:   0     Max: 5

     Input location: 1/2355


inequal2           EXTRA PAY -> WORKERS ACQUIRE SKILLS

     B. Workers would not bother to get skills and
     qualifications unless they were paid extra for having
     them.

       PCT      N  VALUE  LABEL
      14.6    220      1  STRONGLY AGREE
      43.7    658      2  AGREE
      14.7    221      3  NEITHER
      23.4    352      4  DISAGREE
       3.7     55      5  STRONGLY DISAGREE
               29      8  CANT CHOOSE
               29      9  NA
            30816      .  (No Data)
            -----
            32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min: 1     MD Codes: 0
     Decimals:   0     Max: 5

     Input location: 1/2356


inequal3           INEQUALITY EXISTS FOR BENEFIT OF RICH

     C. Inequality continues to exist because it benefits
     the rich and powerful.

       PCT      N  VALUE  LABEL
      15.3    218      1  STRONGLY AGREE
      35.9    511      2  AGREE
      26.6    379      3  NEITHER
      18.1    258      4  DISAGREE
       4.1     59      5  STRONGLY DISAGREE
              103      8  CANT CHOOSE
               36      9  NA
            30816      .  (No Data)
            -----
            32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min: 1     MD Codes: 0
     Decimals:   0     Max: 5

     Input location: 1/2357


inequal4           EXTRA PAY -> PEOPLE EARN DEGREES

     D. No one would study for years to become a lawyer or
     doctor unless they expected to earn a lot more than
     ordinary workers.

       PCT      N  VALUE  LABEL
      27.6    419      1  STRONGLY AGREE
      42.3    643      2  AGREE
      10.9    165      3  NEITHER
      17.1    260      4  DISAGREE
       2.1     32      5  STRONGLY DISAGREE
               12      8  CANT CHOOSE
               33      9  NA
            30816      .  (No Data)
            -----
            32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min: 1     MD Codes: 0
     Decimals:   0     Max: 5

     Input location: 1/2358


inequal5           PAY DIFFERENCES -> AMERICAN PROSPERITY

     E. Large differences in income are necessary for
     America's prosperity.

       PCT      N  VALUE  LABEL
       7.0    102      1  STRONGLY AGREE
      27.0    394      2  AGREE
      28.7    419      3  NEITHER
      31.4    458      4  DISAGREE
       5.8     85      5  STRONGLY DISAGREE
               66      8  CANT CHOOSE
               40      9  NA
            30816      .  (No Data)
            -----
            32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min: 1     MD Codes: 0
     Decimals:   0     Max: 5

     Input location: 1/2359


inequal6           EVERYONE BENEFITS FROM BUSINESS PROFITS

     F. Allowing business to make good profits is the best
     way to improve everyone's standard of living.

       PCT      N  VALUE  LABEL
      10.6    156      1  STRONGLY AGREE
      37.5    554      2  AGREE
      23.4    345      3  NEITHER
      24.3    359      4  DISAGREE
       4.3     63      5  STRONGLY DISAGREE
               57      8  CANT CHOOSE
               30      9  NA
            30816      .  (No Data)
            -----
            32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min: 1     MD Codes: 0
     Decimals:   0     Max: 5

     Input location: 1/2360


inequal7           INEQUALITY DUE TO LACK OF SOLIDARITY

     G. Inequality continues to exist because ordinary
     people don't join together to get rid of it.

       PCT      N  VALUE  LABEL
      11.0    159      1  STRONGLY AGREE
      36.8    534      2  AGREE
      25.8    375      3  NEITHER
      22.6    328      4  DISAGREE
       3.9     56      5  STRONGLY DISAGREE
               79      8  CANT CHOOSE
               33      9  NA
            30816      .  (No Data)
            -----
            32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min: 1     MD Codes: 0
     Decimals:   0     Max: 5

     Input location: 1/2361


Guessing Job Pay


paymason           HOW MUCH R THINKS BRICKLAYER MAKES

     We would like to know what you think people in these
     jobs actually earn. Please write in how much you think
     they usually earn, each year, before taxes. Many
     people are not exactly sure about his but your best
     guess will be close enough. This may be difficult, but
     it is very important. So please try. Please write in
     how much they actually earn each year. A. First, about
     how much do you think a bricklayer earns?

     32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min:   1000     MD Codes: none
     Decimals:   0     Max: 999996

     Input location: 1/2362-2367


paydoc             HOW MUCH R THINKS DOCTOR MAKES

     B. A doctor in general practice?

     32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min:   2000     MD Codes: none
     Decimals:   0     Max: 999996

     Input location: 1/2368-2373


payclerk           HOW MUCH R THINKS BANK CLERK MAKES

     C. A bank clerk?

     32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min:   1000     MD Codes: none
     Decimals:   0     Max: 999996

     Input location: 1/2374-2379


payowner           HOW MUCH R THINKS SHOP OWNER MAKES

     D. The owner of a small shop?

     32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min:   1000     MD Codes: none
     Decimals:   0     Max: 250000

     Input location: 1/2380-2385


payexec            HOW MUCH R THINKS CORPORATE HEAD MAKES

     E. The chairman of a large national corporation?

     32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min:   2000     MD Codes: none
     Decimals:   0     Max: 999996

     Input location: 1/2386-2391


payskill           HOW MUCH R THINKS SKILLED WORKER MAKES

     F. A skilled worker in a factory?

     32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min:   1000     MD Codes: none
     Decimals:   0     Max: 900000

     Input location: 1/2392-2397


payfarm            HOW MUCH R THINKS FARM WORKER MAKES

     G. A farm laborer?

     32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min:      0     MD Codes: none
     Decimals:   0     Max: 900000

     Input location: 1/2398-2403


paysec             HOW MUCH R THINKS SECRETARY MAKES

     H. A secretary?

     32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min:   1000     MD Codes: none
     Decimals:   0     Max: 999996

     Input location: 1/2404-2409


paybus             HOW MUCH R THINKS BUS DRIVER MAKES

     I. A city bus driver?

     32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min:   1800     MD Codes: none
     Decimals:   0     Max: 999996

     Input location: 1/2415-2420


payunskl           HOW MUCH R THINKS UNSKILLED WRKR MAKES

     J. An unskilled worker in a factory?

     32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min:    900     MD Codes: none
     Decimals:   0     Max: 999996

     Input location: 1/2421-2426


paycabnt           HOW MUCH R THINKS CABINET MEMBER MAKES

     K. A member of the cabinet in the federal government?

     32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min:   2600     MD Codes: none
     Decimals:   0     Max: 999996

     Input location: 1/2427-2432


How Much Jobs Should Pay


givmason           HOW MUCH OUGHT MASON MAKE?

     Next, what do you think people in these jobs ought to
     be paid -- how much do you think they should earn each
     year before taxes, regardless of what they actually
     get? Please write in how much they should earn each
     year. A. First, about how much do you think a
     bricklayer should earn?

     32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min:   1000     MD Codes: none
     Decimals:   0     Max: 999996

     Input location: 1/2433-2438


givdoc             HOW MUCH OUGHT DOCTOR MAKE?

     B. A doctor in general practice?

     32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min:   3000     MD Codes: none
     Decimals:   0     Max: 999996

     Input location: 1/2439-2444


givclerk           HOW MUCH OUGHT BANK CLERK MAKE?

     C. A bank clerk?

     32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min:   1000     MD Codes: none
     Decimals:   0     Max: 999994

     Input location: 1/2445-2450


givowner           HOW MUCH OUGHT SHOP OWNER MAKE?

     D. The owner of a small shop?

     32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min:   2000     MD Codes: none
     Decimals:   0     Max: 999993

     Input location: 1/2451-2456


givexec            HOW MUCH OUGHT CORPORATE HEAD MAKE?

     E. The chairman of a large national corporation?

     32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min:    200     MD Codes: none
     Decimals:   0     Max: 999996

     Input location: 1/2457-2462


givskill           HOW MUCH OUGHT SKILLED WORKER MAKE?

     F. A skilled worker in a factory?

     32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min:   1000     MD Codes: none
     Decimals:   0     Max: 999996

     Input location: 1/2463-2468


givfarm            HOW MUCH OUGHT FARM WORKER MAKE?

     G. A farm laborer?

     32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min:   1000     MD Codes: none
     Decimals:   0     Max: 999993

     Input location: 1/2469-2474


givsec             HOW MUCH OUGHT SECRETARY MAKE?

     H. A secretary?

     32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min:   1000     MD Codes: none
     Decimals:   0     Max: 999994

     Input location: 1/2475-2480


givbus             HOW MUCH OUGHT BUS DRIVER MAKE?

     I. A city bus driver?

     32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min:   1000     MD Codes: none
     Decimals:   0     Max: 999994

     Input location: 1/2481-2486


givunskl           HOW MUCH OUGHT UNSKILLED WORKER MAKE?

     J. An unskilled worker in a factory?

     32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min:      0     MD Codes: none
     Decimals:   0     Max: 999994

     Input location: 1/2487-2492


givcabnt           HOW MUCH OUGHT CABINET MEMBER MAKE?

     K. A member of the cabinet in the federal government?

     32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min:      0     MD Codes: none
     Decimals:   0     Max: 999996

     Input location: 1/2493-2498


Economic Inequality and the Role of Government


incgap             INCOME DIFFERENTIALS IN USA TOO BIG

     Do you agree or disagree. A. Differences in income in
     America are too large.

       PCT      N  VALUE  LABEL
      16.4    244      1  STRONGLY AGREE
      42.7    636      2  AGREE
      21.7    324      3  NEITHER
      16.1    240      4  DISAGREE
       3.1     46      5  STRONGLY DISAGREE
               50      8  CANT CHOOSE
               24      9  NA
            30816      .  (No Data)
            -----
            32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min: 1     MD Codes: 0
     Decimals:   0     Max: 5

     Input location: 1/2499


goveqinc           GOVMNT SHOULD REDUCE INC DIFFERENTIALS

     B. It is the responsibility of the government to
     reduce differences in income between people with high
     incomes and those with low incomes.

       PCT      N  VALUE  LABEL
       8.5    126      1  STRONGLY AGREE
      24.3    360      2  AGREE
      23.4    347      3  NEITHER
      33.0    490      4  DISAGREE
      10.8    161      5  STRONGLY DISAGREE
               49      8  CANT CHOOSE
               31      9  NA
            30816      .  (No Data)
            -----
            32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min: 1     MD Codes: 0
     Decimals:   0     Max: 5

     Input location: 1/2500


govedop            GOVMNT SHOULD HELP POOR ATTEND COLLEGE

     C. The government should provide more chances for
     children from poor families to go to college.

       PCT      N  VALUE  LABEL
      26.9    410      1  STRONGLY AGREE
      51.4    783      2  AGREE
      11.2    170      3  NEITHER
       8.9    136      4  DISAGREE
       1.6     24      5  STRONGLY DISAGREE
               12      8  CANT CHOOSE
               29      9  NA
            30816      .  (No Data)
            -----
            32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min: 1     MD Codes: 0
     Decimals:   0     Max: 5

     Input location: 1/2501


govjobs            GOVMNT SHOULD PROVIDE JOBS

     D. The government should provide a job for everyone
     who wants one.

       PCT      N  VALUE  LABEL
      17.0    256      1  STRONGLY AGREE
      32.5    491      2  AGREE
      19.4    292      3  NEITHER
      22.9    345      4  DISAGREE
       8.3    125      5  STRONGLY DISAGREE
               23      8  CANT CHOOSE
               32      9  NA
            30816      .  (No Data)
            -----
            32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min: 1     MD Codes: 0
     Decimals:   0     Max: 5

     Input location: 1/2502


govless            GOVMNT SHOULD SPEND LESS ON POOR

     E. The government should spend less on benefits for
     the poor.

       PCT      N  VALUE  LABEL
       3.5     52      1  STRONGLY AGREE
      13.4    201      2  AGREE
      20.5    306      3  NEITHER
      44.3    663      4  DISAGREE
      18.3    274      5  STRONGLY DISAGREE
               33      8  CANT CHOOSE
               35      9  NA
            30816      .  (No Data)
            -----
            32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min: 1     MD Codes: 0
     Decimals:   0     Max: 5

     Input location: 1/2503


govunemp           GOVMNT SHOULD PROVIDE UNEMP BENEFITS

     F. The government should provide a decent standard of
     living for the unemployed.

       PCT      N  VALUE  LABEL
       9.1    136      1  STRONGLY AGREE
      33.4    500      2  AGREE
      25.6    383      3  NEITHER
      26.8    400      4  DISAGREE
       5.1     76      5  STRONGLY DISAGREE
               41      8  CANT CHOOSE
               28      9  NA
            30816      .  (No Data)
            -----
            32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min: 1     MD Codes: 0
     Decimals:   0     Max: 5

     Input location: 1/2504


govminc            GOVMNT SHOULD PROVIDE MINIMUM INCOME

     G. The government should provide everyone with a
     guaranteed basic income.

       PCT      N  VALUE  LABEL
       7.2    107      1  STRONGLY AGREE
      18.1    268      2  AGREE
      21.3    316      3  NEITHER
      37.9    562      4  DISAGREE
      15.5    230      5  STRONGLY DISAGREE
               54      8  CANT CHOOSE
               27      9  NA
            30816      .  (No Data)
            -----
            32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min: 1     MD Codes: 0
     Decimals:   0     Max: 5

     Input location: 1/2505


Class Tax Levels


taxrich            TAXES ON HIGH INCOME PEOPLE TOO HIGH

     Generally, how would you describe taxes in America
     today...We mean all taxes together, including social
     security, income tax, sales tax, and all the rest. A.
     First, for those with high incomes, are taxes...

       PCT      N  VALUE  LABEL
       7.9    114      1  MUCH TOO HIGH
      12.0    173      2  TOO HIGH
      22.2    319      3  ABOUT RIGHT
      38.8    558      4  TOO LOW
      19.1    275      5  MUCH TOO LOW
               99      8  CANT CHOOSE
               26      9  NA
            30816      .  (No Data)
            -----
            32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min: 1     MD Codes: 0
     Decimals:   0     Max: 5

     Input location: 1/2506


taxmid             TAXES ON MIDDLE INCOME PEOPLE TOO HIGH

     B. Next, for those with middle incomes, are taxes...

       PCT      N  VALUE  LABEL
      17.0    251      1  MUCH TOO HIGH
      52.7    777      2  TOO HIGH
      27.7    408      3  ABOUT RIGHT
       2.4     35      4  TOO LOW
       0.3      4      5  MUCH TOO LOW
               66      8  CANT CHOOSE
               23      9  NA
            30816      .  (No Data)
            -----
            32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min: 1     MD Codes: 0
     Decimals:   0     Max: 5

     Input location: 1/2507


taxpoor            TAXES ON LOW INCOME PEOPLE TOO HIGH

     C. Lastly, for those with low incomes, are taxes...

       PCT      N  VALUE  LABEL
      32.6    477      1  MUCH TOO HIGH
      39.3    575      2  TOO HIGH
      24.1    352      3  ABOUT RIGHT
       2.9     43      4  TOO LOW
       1.0     15      5  MUCH TOO LOW
               75      8  CANT CHOOSE
               27      9  NA
            30816      .  (No Data)
            -----
            32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min: 1     MD Codes: 0
     Decimals:   0     Max: 5

     Input location: 1/2508


taxshare           SHOULD RICH PAY BIGGER SHARE OF TAXES?

     Do you think that people with high incomes should pay
     a larger share of their income in taxes than those
     with low incomes, the same share, or a smaller
     share...

       PCT      N  VALUE  LABEL
      23.9    347      1  MUCH LARGER SHARE
      44.6    648      2  LARGER
      29.4    428      3  SAME SHARE
       1.7     24      4  SMALLER SHARE
       0.5      7      5  MUCH LOWER SHARE
               88      8  CANT CHOOSE
               22      9  NA
            30816      .  (No Data)
            -----
            32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min: 1     MD Codes: 0
     Decimals:   0     Max: 5

     Input location: 1/2509


Class Conflict


conwlth            CONFLICT BETWEEN POOR AND RICH IN USA?

     In all countries, there are differences or conflicts
     between different social groups. In your opinion, in
     America, how much conflict is there between: A. Poor
     people and rich people?

       PCT      N  VALUE  LABEL
      18.6    270      1  VERY STRONG CONFLICT
      45.3    657      2  STRONG CONFLICT
      32.3    468      3  NOT STRONG CONFLICT
       3.7     54      4  NO CONFLICT
               75      8  CANT CHOOSE
               40      9  NA
            30816      .  (No Data)
            -----
            32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min: 1     MD Codes: 0
     Decimals:   0     Max: 4

     Input location: 1/2510


conclass           WORKING AND MIDDLE CLASSES IN CONFLICT?

     B. The working class and the middle class?

       PCT      N  VALUE  LABEL
       4.6     67      1  VERY STRONG CONFLICT
      20.9    303      2  STRONG CONFLICT
      62.3    901      3  NOT STRONG CONFLICT
      12.2    176      4  NO CONFLICT
               67      8  CANT CHOOSE
               50      9  NA
            30816      .  (No Data)
            -----
            32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min: 1     MD Codes: 0
     Decimals:   0     Max: 4

     Input location: 1/2511


conjobs            EMPLOYED AND UNEMPLOYED IN CONFLICT

     C. The unemployed and people with jobs?

       PCT      N  VALUE  LABEL
      11.4    164      1  VERY STRONG CONFLICT
      40.2    579      2  STRONG CONFLICT
      40.8    588      3  NOT STRONG CONFLICT
       7.7    111      4  NO CONFLICT
               65      8  CANT CHOOSE
               57      9  NA
            30816      .  (No Data)
            -----
            32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min: 1     MD Codes: 0
     Decimals:   0     Max: 4

     Input location: 1/2512


conunion           WORKERS AND MANAGEMENT IN CONFLICT?

     D. Management and workers?

       PCT      N  VALUE  LABEL
      11.6    167      1  VERY STRONG CONFLICT
      45.6    655      2  STRONG CONFLICT
      39.1    561      3  NOT STRONG CONFLICT
       3.7     53      4  NO CONFLICT
               74      8  CANT CHOOSE
               54      9  NA
            30816      .  (No Data)
            -----
            32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min: 1     MD Codes: 0
     Decimals:   0     Max: 4

     Input location: 1/2513


conurban           FARMERS AND CITY PEOPLE IN CONFLICT?

     E. Farmers and city people?

       PCT      N  VALUE  LABEL
       9.5    135      1  VERY STRONG CONFLICT
      30.6    436      2  STRONG CONFLICT
      46.9    669      3  NOT STRONG CONFLICT
      13.0    185      4  NO CONFLICT
               93      8  CANT CHOOSE
               46      9  NA
            30816      .  (No Data)
            -----
            32380 cases

     Type: numeric     Min: 1     MD Codes: 0
     Decimals:   0     Max: 4

     Input location: 1/2514



1972-1994 General Social Survey Cumulative File