to me meta analyses like this—that address perception as well as reality—are often more useful than studies that just focus on the latter. From racial disparities to inequality to “welfare” the public’s perception of reality ALWAYS assumes a more just than what actually exists.
one study I’ve always wanted to see but cant find is of Americans asking how many Americans died in WW2 vs Soviets. I think the vast majority of Americans believe the US did most of the fighting. Remember that guy #onhere who got mad the Russians didn’t fly the US flag on VE Day?
Im fairly sure if you asked Americans how many Americans died in WW2 vs Soviets it would be 3 to 1 in favor of Americans but this is obviously just a guess.
most obvious example of this is inequality. American’s perception of how unequal we are isnt even close to reality. And again it’s notable that the perception ALWAYS assumes we live in a more just society than we do. Its never wrong in the other direction. washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2… 
In short, Americans think taxes are more progressive than they are, think wealth is more equal than it is & half have no idea what marginal taxes are. These misconceptions—which, again, only go in one direction—are the net result of a media that ignores class conflict at all cost
