Replication Data for: Borrowing to Self-Insure? Credit Access and Support for Welfare

The idea that credit can be a private form of insurance against economic shocks has recently gained credence, but do individuals really see bank credit as an acceptable substitute for social insurance? We conjecture that credit constitutes a viable alternative to social insurance for those with high incomes and those who face low risk from unemployment. Relying on observational data from the European Social Survey between 2002--10 we conclude that individuals with better credit access demand lower levels of redistribution, but confirm this effect is moderated by income and job loss risk. We then conduct a conjoint analysis in the United Kingdom that also points to a credit-access effect on preferences regarding welfare. Specifically, we find that high-income, low-risk individuals prefer lower income taxation --- i.e., a lower fiscal burden --- when credit is cheaply available.