We show that a transfer targeting a minority of the population is sustained by majority voting, however small the minority targeted, when the probability to receive the transfer is decreasing and concave in income. We apply our framework to the French social housing program and obtain that...

We show that a transfer targeting a minority of the population is sustained by majority voting, however small the minority targeted, when the probability to receive the transfer is decreasing and concave in income. We apply our framework to the French social housing program and obtain that...

The inequality delusion and other scapegoats for populism -- The fairness instinct -- Economic unfairness and the rise of populism -- The twin virtues of equal opportunity and fair unequal outcomes -- Constraints and solutions to economic fairness -- Conclusion. Scripting a path forward.