How conjoint analysis contributes to mitigating intergroup conflict? A case study of ageing policy in Taipei City (Taiwan)

Overview

Ageing policy often sets younger taxpayers against older beneficiaries, and the resulting intergroup conflict can stall reform before it begins. Whether the design of a policy, rather than its mere existence, can ease that tension has received far less scrutiny. We field a conjoint experiment among residents of Taipei City that varies key policy attributes—who benefits, how costs are shared, and how the program is framed and bounded—and estimate how each attribute shapes support among younger and older respondents. We find that certain designs lessen the perceived zero-sum conflict between age groups, and that framing ageing policy in intergenerational terms raises support across both. Distributional features matter less than expected once a policy is presented as mutual gain rather than competition.

Research Design

• Data: Survey experiment of residents in Taipei City
• Method: Conjoint analysis to estimate the marginal effect of each policy attribute on support
• Key attributes:
  • Who benefits (younger vs. older groups)
  • How costs are shared
  • Program framing and eligibility

Key Findings

• Certain policy designs reduce perceived zero-sum conflict between age groups.
• Framing ageing policy in more inclusive, intergenerational terms increases support across both younger and older respondents.
• Distributional features matter less than expected once policies are framed as mutual gains rather than competition.