Frances Stewart and Albert Berry
- Published in print:
- 1999
- Published Online:
- November 2003
- ISBN:
- 9780198295662
- eISBN:
- 9780191599521
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0198295669.003.0007
- Subject:
- Political Science, International Relations and Politics
Explores the effects of moves from dirigiste to laissez‐faire policies (liberalization) on income distribution within countries, and also to consider briefly its impact on inter‐country inequality. ...
More
Explores the effects of moves from dirigiste to laissez‐faire policies (liberalization) on income distribution within countries, and also to consider briefly its impact on inter‐country inequality. The emphasis is on inequality within countries because this is where world inequalities have been most exacerbated over the past two decades. In itself, this represents an important change in inequality in world politics. The gap between rich and poor has long been the major source of inequality among people in the world. Yet this gap has, if anything, closed slightly over the past couple of decades. In particular, the chapter demonstrates that over the 1980s inequalities within countries generally tended to worsen—more so than in any previous post‐WW2 decade—and argues that if intra‐country distribution had remained the same over the 1980s, inter‐country inequalities would have been reduced.Less
Explores the effects of moves from dirigiste to laissez‐faire policies (liberalization) on income distribution within countries, and also to consider briefly its impact on inter‐country inequality. The emphasis is on inequality within countries because this is where world inequalities have been most exacerbated over the past two decades. In itself, this represents an important change in inequality in world politics. The gap between rich and poor has long been the major source of inequality among people in the world. Yet this gap has, if anything, closed slightly over the past couple of decades. In particular, the chapter demonstrates that over the 1980s inequalities within countries generally tended to worsen—more so than in any previous post‐WW2 decade—and argues that if intra‐country distribution had remained the same over the 1980s, inter‐country inequalities would have been reduced.
Richard V. Burkhauser and Kenneth A. Couch
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- February 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780195376630
- eISBN:
- 9780199865499
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195376630.003.0013
- Subject:
- Social Work, Social Policy
This chapter shows how economic growth over the last two business cycles has been distributed in the United States, and compares those changes with changes in two EU countries with quite different ...
More
This chapter shows how economic growth over the last two business cycles has been distributed in the United States, and compares those changes with changes in two EU countries with quite different social Institutions: Great Britain and Germany. While income inequality is consistently highest in the United States over the past two decades, followed by Great Britain and Germany, income inequality in the United States changed little in the 1990s, fell in Great Britain, and rose in Germany. Outcomes in Great Britain over the 1990s business cycle are much closer to those in the United States than they are to Germany.Less
This chapter shows how economic growth over the last two business cycles has been distributed in the United States, and compares those changes with changes in two EU countries with quite different social Institutions: Great Britain and Germany. While income inequality is consistently highest in the United States over the past two decades, followed by Great Britain and Germany, income inequality in the United States changed little in the 1990s, fell in Great Britain, and rose in Germany. Outcomes in Great Britain over the 1990s business cycle are much closer to those in the United States than they are to Germany.
Young‐Iob Chung
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- September 2006
- ISBN:
- 9780195178302
- eISBN:
- 9780199783557
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0195178300.003.0009
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, South and East Asia
This chapter assesses the impact of capital formation and economic development under Japanese rule on income distribution, consumption (standard of living), and savings in Korea, focusing those of ...
More
This chapter assesses the impact of capital formation and economic development under Japanese rule on income distribution, consumption (standard of living), and savings in Korea, focusing those of Koreans and Japanese in Korea. This allows the evaluation of the ultimate beneficiaries of economic growth and transformation in the country relative to various economic sectors (e.g., industry and agriculture), income groups (e.g., landlords, farmers, businesses, and wage earners), and different nationalities (i.e., Koreans and Japanese). Similar analyses have been performed relative to personal consumption and savings, as well as business savings based on economic/income sectors/groups and nationality.Less
This chapter assesses the impact of capital formation and economic development under Japanese rule on income distribution, consumption (standard of living), and savings in Korea, focusing those of Koreans and Japanese in Korea. This allows the evaluation of the ultimate beneficiaries of economic growth and transformation in the country relative to various economic sectors (e.g., industry and agriculture), income groups (e.g., landlords, farmers, businesses, and wage earners), and different nationalities (i.e., Koreans and Japanese). Similar analyses have been performed relative to personal consumption and savings, as well as business savings based on economic/income sectors/groups and nationality.
Jacob Mincer
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- May 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199211319
- eISBN:
- 9780191705748
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199211319.003.0003
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, History of Economic Thought
This chapter analyzes Mincer's contribution to income distribution research, namely the way he placed human capital at the center of that research. It commences with a brief analysis of the debates ...
More
This chapter analyzes Mincer's contribution to income distribution research, namely the way he placed human capital at the center of that research. It commences with a brief analysis of the debates that marked the development of research in personal income distribution during the first half of the 20th century. Mincer's thesis of 1957 is analyzed by showing how his work incorporated a broader debate about the purposes and uses of research in personal income. The chapter proceeds by covering Mincer's subsequent work on human capital and lifetime income and wage patterns, which reached a high point with his 1974 book Schooling, Experience, and Earnings and the formulation of the human capital earnings function, which would become a centerpiece of modern labor research. The chapter also shows the way Mincer's research has significantly influenced the economic analysis of income distribution.Less
This chapter analyzes Mincer's contribution to income distribution research, namely the way he placed human capital at the center of that research. It commences with a brief analysis of the debates that marked the development of research in personal income distribution during the first half of the 20th century. Mincer's thesis of 1957 is analyzed by showing how his work incorporated a broader debate about the purposes and uses of research in personal income. The chapter proceeds by covering Mincer's subsequent work on human capital and lifetime income and wage patterns, which reached a high point with his 1974 book Schooling, Experience, and Earnings and the formulation of the human capital earnings function, which would become a centerpiece of modern labor research. The chapter also shows the way Mincer's research has significantly influenced the economic analysis of income distribution.
Henry Phelps Brown
- Published in print:
- 1988
- Published Online:
- November 2003
- ISBN:
- 9780198286486
- eISBN:
- 9780191596773
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0198286481.003.0016
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Public and Welfare
The distributions of personal income and holdings of wealth that have been examined earlier in the book have salient features in common: wealth is much more unequally distributed than income, but the ...
More
The distributions of personal income and holdings of wealth that have been examined earlier in the book have salient features in common: wealth is much more unequally distributed than income, but the form of distribution is similar. There are three ways of asking how the distributions came to take that form; these overlap, but there may be an advantage in following separate approaches to these in an initial examination. The three approaches are examined in the next four sections of the chapter: the first looks at the components of distributions, since there are various distinct sources of inequality; and the second examines the mathematical properties of that form, hoping to find in those properties a guide to the actual processes of formulation in everyday life; and the third and fourth consider the formation of distributions as an ongoing process, addressing incomes and wealth separately. These four sections give examples from various countries. The last section of the chapter examines ‘great fortunes’, since it is clear that the biggest incomes and wealth holdings form a distinct system; most of the examples given are from British history, and look at both transmitted wealth and fortunes built up by their holders.Less
The distributions of personal income and holdings of wealth that have been examined earlier in the book have salient features in common: wealth is much more unequally distributed than income, but the form of distribution is similar. There are three ways of asking how the distributions came to take that form; these overlap, but there may be an advantage in following separate approaches to these in an initial examination. The three approaches are examined in the next four sections of the chapter: the first looks at the components of distributions, since there are various distinct sources of inequality; and the second examines the mathematical properties of that form, hoping to find in those properties a guide to the actual processes of formulation in everyday life; and the third and fourth consider the formation of distributions as an ongoing process, addressing incomes and wealth separately. These four sections give examples from various countries. The last section of the chapter examines ‘great fortunes’, since it is clear that the biggest incomes and wealth holdings form a distinct system; most of the examples given are from British history, and look at both transmitted wealth and fortunes built up by their holders.
Lane Kenworthy
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- September 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780199550593
- eISBN:
- 9780191720727
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199550593.003.0003
- Subject:
- Political Science, Comparative Politics, Political Economy
This chapter argues that in thinking about income inequality, our focus should be on the distribution of post-tax-post-transfer income among households, rather than the distribution of earnings among ...
More
This chapter argues that in thinking about income inequality, our focus should be on the distribution of post-tax-post-transfer income among households, rather than the distribution of earnings among individuals or the distribution of market income among households. It explores the chief determinants of cross-country and over-time differences in post-tax-postt-ransfer household income inequality. It examines the impact of individual earnings, employment patterns within and across households, household composition and structure, and government redistribution. It is shown that for the countries that have been most successful at limiting inequality, redistribution has been especially significant. Keeping individual earnings inequality in check is likely to be increasingly difficult and that household structure and composition are very difficult for policy makers to influence.Less
This chapter argues that in thinking about income inequality, our focus should be on the distribution of post-tax-post-transfer income among households, rather than the distribution of earnings among individuals or the distribution of market income among households. It explores the chief determinants of cross-country and over-time differences in post-tax-postt-ransfer household income inequality. It examines the impact of individual earnings, employment patterns within and across households, household composition and structure, and government redistribution. It is shown that for the countries that have been most successful at limiting inequality, redistribution has been especially significant. Keeping individual earnings inequality in check is likely to be increasingly difficult and that household structure and composition are very difficult for policy makers to influence.
John Hills
- Published in print:
- 2004
- Published Online:
- January 2005
- ISBN:
- 9780199276646
- eISBN:
- 9780191601644
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0199276641.003.0002
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Public and Welfare
Describes the distribution of income and trends in it over time. Sets out what proportions of the population have incomes at different levels, and which groups are found towards its top and bottom. ...
More
Describes the distribution of income and trends in it over time. Sets out what proportions of the population have incomes at different levels, and which groups are found towards its top and bottom. Describes how income inequality has changed in recent decades, and how these trends contrast with those in other comparable countries, most of which have not experienced as sharp an increase as Britain. Also gives information about the distribution of wealth, and the way it has also become more unequally distributed in the most recent years. Finally, looks at public views of inequality in the UK, and at how these match or contrast with those in other countries.Less
Describes the distribution of income and trends in it over time. Sets out what proportions of the population have incomes at different levels, and which groups are found towards its top and bottom. Describes how income inequality has changed in recent decades, and how these trends contrast with those in other comparable countries, most of which have not experienced as sharp an increase as Britain. Also gives information about the distribution of wealth, and the way it has also become more unequally distributed in the most recent years. Finally, looks at public views of inequality in the UK, and at how these match or contrast with those in other countries.
A. B. Atkinson
- Published in print:
- 1996
- Published Online:
- November 2003
- ISBN:
- 9780198292166
- eISBN:
- 9780191595875
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0198292163.001.0001
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Public and Welfare
The book provides an introduction to the key ideas of public economics. For this purpose, it takes as a case study the proposal for a basic income financed by a flat tax on all income. This radical ...
More
The book provides an introduction to the key ideas of public economics. For this purpose, it takes as a case study the proposal for a basic income financed by a flat tax on all income. This radical reform of the income tax and social security systems has generated wide interest. The book reviews different areas of public economics: the theory of optimum taxation, public choice theory, general equilibrium analysis of incidence, numerical tax‐benefit modelling, and econometric studies of work incentives. The author does not argue for or against the basic income proposal but believes that it should be on the agenda for serious discussion.Less
The book provides an introduction to the key ideas of public economics. For this purpose, it takes as a case study the proposal for a basic income financed by a flat tax on all income. This radical reform of the income tax and social security systems has generated wide interest. The book reviews different areas of public economics: the theory of optimum taxation, public choice theory, general equilibrium analysis of incidence, numerical tax‐benefit modelling, and econometric studies of work incentives. The author does not argue for or against the basic income proposal but believes that it should be on the agenda for serious discussion.
Lance Taylor (ed.)
- Published in print:
- 2001
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780195145465
- eISBN:
- 9780199783960
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195145465.001.0001
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, International
Reports on the effects of the fundamental economic policy shift in transition and developing countries after the mid‐1980s. Since that time, the “external liberalization” of international trade and ...
More
Reports on the effects of the fundamental economic policy shift in transition and developing countries after the mid‐1980s. Since that time, the “external liberalization” of international trade and finance has been among the principal forces for increasing global integration. This wave of deregulation was the central feature of globalization for the non‐industrialized world. The chapters in this book look at the experiences of nine countries – Argentina, Columbia, Cuba, India, Mexico, Russia, South Korea, Turkey, and Zimbabwe – and the often‐negative effects that liberalization has had on them. At best, the liberalization packages generated modest improvements in economic growth and distributional equity; at worst, they have been associated with increasing income inequality and slower growth, even in the presence of rising capital inflows. The country studies suggest that the effects of liberalization on growth, employment, and income distribution emerge from a complex set of forces on both the supply and demand sides of the economy. Redistribution of income and production across industries (typically from those producing traded goods to those producing nontraded goods) and groups within the labor force (typically from unskilled to skilled), as well as adverse shifts in “macro” prices such as real wage, interest, and exchange rates are part of the process. This degree of complexity and most of the unfavorable effects of deregulation were not anticipated, and are only now being widely recognized. The implication is that the liberalization strategy needs to be rethought. The contributors include policy recommendations for often‐overlooked problems and challenges posed by globalization.Less
Reports on the effects of the fundamental economic policy shift in transition and developing countries after the mid‐1980s. Since that time, the “external liberalization” of international trade and finance has been among the principal forces for increasing global integration. This wave of deregulation was the central feature of globalization for the non‐industrialized world. The chapters in this book look at the experiences of nine countries – Argentina, Columbia, Cuba, India, Mexico, Russia, South Korea, Turkey, and Zimbabwe – and the often‐negative effects that liberalization has had on them. At best, the liberalization packages generated modest improvements in economic growth and distributional equity; at worst, they have been associated with increasing income inequality and slower growth, even in the presence of rising capital inflows. The country studies suggest that the effects of liberalization on growth, employment, and income distribution emerge from a complex set of forces on both the supply and demand sides of the economy. Redistribution of income and production across industries (typically from those producing traded goods to those producing nontraded goods) and groups within the labor force (typically from unskilled to skilled), as well as adverse shifts in “macro” prices such as real wage, interest, and exchange rates are part of the process. This degree of complexity and most of the unfavorable effects of deregulation were not anticipated, and are only now being widely recognized. The implication is that the liberalization strategy needs to be rethought. The contributors include policy recommendations for often‐overlooked problems and challenges posed by globalization.
Tsuneo Ishikawa
- Published in print:
- 2002
- Published Online:
- November 2003
- ISBN:
- 9780198288626
- eISBN:
- 9780191596469
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/019828862X.003.0003
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Public and Welfare
This chapter addresses the question of how the resources of labour power are supplied to alternative uses from the neoclassical viewpoint of individual rational choice, and further explains various ...
More
This chapter addresses the question of how the resources of labour power are supplied to alternative uses from the neoclassical viewpoint of individual rational choice, and further explains various modifications made to the framework of analysis, which are designed to cope with circumstances peculiar to the labour market that cannot be handled well in a standard framework of market clearing. Section 3.1 formulates the theory of general equilibrium for an economy with heterogeneous abilities and heterogeneous jobs, and derives some fundamental properties governing the distribution of income; in particular, it answers the supply‐side questions of how people's diverse abilities are allocated to different job types and how people's preferences for types of job affect such a process; and discusses implications of these on the size distribution of income. Section 3.2 discusses the possibility that each person's ability might change over time, in particular that it might be modified into a more valuable one at the expense of economic resources. Section 3.3 discusses the types of labour market equilibrium that obtain when each person's ability is imperfectly revealed––more specifically, asymmetry of information exists between the workers and the employer in that every worker knows his or her ability perfectly well while the employer cannot observe it directly. Section 3.4 again discusses the implications of informational imperfection, but this time imperfection falls equally (or symmetrically) on workers and employers.Less
This chapter addresses the question of how the resources of labour power are supplied to alternative uses from the neoclassical viewpoint of individual rational choice, and further explains various modifications made to the framework of analysis, which are designed to cope with circumstances peculiar to the labour market that cannot be handled well in a standard framework of market clearing. Section 3.1 formulates the theory of general equilibrium for an economy with heterogeneous abilities and heterogeneous jobs, and derives some fundamental properties governing the distribution of income; in particular, it answers the supply‐side questions of how people's diverse abilities are allocated to different job types and how people's preferences for types of job affect such a process; and discusses implications of these on the size distribution of income. Section 3.2 discusses the possibility that each person's ability might change over time, in particular that it might be modified into a more valuable one at the expense of economic resources. Section 3.3 discusses the types of labour market equilibrium that obtain when each person's ability is imperfectly revealed––more specifically, asymmetry of information exists between the workers and the employer in that every worker knows his or her ability perfectly well while the employer cannot observe it directly. Section 3.4 again discusses the implications of informational imperfection, but this time imperfection falls equally (or symmetrically) on workers and employers.
José Antonio Ocampo and Camilo Tovar
- Published in print:
- 2001
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780195145465
- eISBN:
- 9780199783960
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195145465.003.0004
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, International
This chapter analyzes the link between structural adjustment, macroeconomic performance, and social indicators in Colombia. The first two sections briefly overview structural reforms, the evolution ...
More
This chapter analyzes the link between structural adjustment, macroeconomic performance, and social indicators in Colombia. The first two sections briefly overview structural reforms, the evolution of macroeconomic policy, and their outcomes. The third takes a look at the labor market, and the fourth considers the evolution of social policy and major indicators of living conditions. The fifth analyzes in greater detail the evolution of poverty and income distribution. Finally, the sixth draws some conclusions.Less
This chapter analyzes the link between structural adjustment, macroeconomic performance, and social indicators in Colombia. The first two sections briefly overview structural reforms, the evolution of macroeconomic policy, and their outcomes. The third takes a look at the labor market, and the fourth considers the evolution of social policy and major indicators of living conditions. The fifth analyzes in greater detail the evolution of poverty and income distribution. Finally, the sixth draws some conclusions.
Henry Phelps Brown
- Published in print:
- 1988
- Published Online:
- November 2003
- ISBN:
- 9780198286486
- eISBN:
- 9780191596773
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0198286481.003.0010
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Public and Welfare
Discusses how best to display distributions of income and wealth so that comparisons can be made between different periods or countries. The various different kinds of distribution curve that have ...
More
Discusses how best to display distributions of income and wealth so that comparisons can be made between different periods or countries. The various different kinds of distribution curve that have been used are described and their disadvantages noted. The account starts with the frequency distribution curve, which is shown to have several drawbacks, and goes on to the Gini coefficient, which is based on the Lorenz curve, the indices proposed by Henri Theil and A. B. Atkinson, and the Pen parade (or Pen profile). The second section of the chapter provides a definition of income and discusses the choice of unit. The last section is a statistical appendix, and gives further details of the methods of distribution display discussed at the beginning of the chapter, and introduces some other indices––the Phelps Brown–Hopkins index, the Schumpeter–Gilboy index, and the Rousseau index.Less
Discusses how best to display distributions of income and wealth so that comparisons can be made between different periods or countries. The various different kinds of distribution curve that have been used are described and their disadvantages noted. The account starts with the frequency distribution curve, which is shown to have several drawbacks, and goes on to the Gini coefficient, which is based on the Lorenz curve, the indices proposed by Henri Theil and A. B. Atkinson, and the Pen parade (or Pen profile). The second section of the chapter provides a definition of income and discusses the choice of unit. The last section is a statistical appendix, and gives further details of the methods of distribution display discussed at the beginning of the chapter, and introduces some other indices––the Phelps Brown–Hopkins index, the Schumpeter–Gilboy index, and the Rousseau index.
Deepak Lal and H. Myint
- Published in print:
- 1998
- Published Online:
- November 2003
- ISBN:
- 9780198294320
- eISBN:
- 9780191596582
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0198294328.003.0004
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental
The thinking behind the method of pairing countries used in the book for the purpose of comparative analysis of their economic history is explained. The salient relationships are then outlined ...
More
The thinking behind the method of pairing countries used in the book for the purpose of comparative analysis of their economic history is explained. The salient relationships are then outlined between economic policies and the outcomes of economic growth, poverty alleviation, and income distribution that have emerged from the pairwise country comparisons. The two main findings of the analysis are that (1) there is a close relationship between a country's success or failure in pursuing policies to expand exports and its rate of economic growth; and (2) the growth in income per capita of a country tends to reduce poverty in an absolute sense, although income distribution in a relative sense may become more or less equal with economic growth. The last part of the chapter presents the pairwise country profiles. The first is a group of five small open economies that are divided into two pairs—Hong Kong and Singapore, and Jamaica and Mauritius, linked by a fifth country—Malta; the remaining pairs are Sri Lanka and Malaysia, Thailand and Ghana, Brazil and Mexico, Uruguay and Costa Rica, Colombia and Peru, Egypt and Turkey, Nigeria and Indonesia, and Malawi and Madagascar.Less
The thinking behind the method of pairing countries used in the book for the purpose of comparative analysis of their economic history is explained. The salient relationships are then outlined between economic policies and the outcomes of economic growth, poverty alleviation, and income distribution that have emerged from the pairwise country comparisons. The two main findings of the analysis are that (1) there is a close relationship between a country's success or failure in pursuing policies to expand exports and its rate of economic growth; and (2) the growth in income per capita of a country tends to reduce poverty in an absolute sense, although income distribution in a relative sense may become more or less equal with economic growth. The last part of the chapter presents the pairwise country profiles. The first is a group of five small open economies that are divided into two pairs—Hong Kong and Singapore, and Jamaica and Mauritius, linked by a fifth country—Malta; the remaining pairs are Sri Lanka and Malaysia, Thailand and Ghana, Brazil and Mexico, Uruguay and Costa Rica, Colombia and Peru, Egypt and Turkey, Nigeria and Indonesia, and Malawi and Madagascar.
Daniele Checchi
- Published in print:
- 2004
- Published Online:
- August 2004
- ISBN:
- 9780199271412
- eISBN:
- 9780191601255
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0199271410.003.0004
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental
Discusses the fact that although income distribution and the distribution of educational attainments are obviously related, the sign of the relationship between educational achievements and income ...
More
Discusses the fact that although income distribution and the distribution of educational attainments are obviously related, the sign of the relationship between educational achievements and income inequality cannot be predicted a priori . For this reason, the chapter investigates the empirical determinants of aggregate income inequality and, more specifically, the relative contribution of education to measured income inequality. Checchi considers this to be crucial for two reasons: first, from a theoretical point of view, it is important to understand the plausibility of studying intergenerational equilibria under stationary distributions of income and human capital in the population; second, from a policy point of view, it is important to understand whether urging countries (or people) to increase their educational achievements is going to exacerbate, moderate, or have little influence on the subsequent earnings distribution. The chapter is organized as follows: the second section reviews the literature on income inequality determinants, the third provides an empirical econometric analysis, and the last offers conclusions; an appendix indicates data sources and discusses data reliability.Less
Discusses the fact that although income distribution and the distribution of educational attainments are obviously related, the sign of the relationship between educational achievements and income inequality cannot be predicted a priori . For this reason, the chapter investigates the empirical determinants of aggregate income inequality and, more specifically, the relative contribution of education to measured income inequality. Checchi considers this to be crucial for two reasons: first, from a theoretical point of view, it is important to understand the plausibility of studying intergenerational equilibria under stationary distributions of income and human capital in the population; second, from a policy point of view, it is important to understand whether urging countries (or people) to increase their educational achievements is going to exacerbate, moderate, or have little influence on the subsequent earnings distribution. The chapter is organized as follows: the second section reviews the literature on income inequality determinants, the third provides an empirical econometric analysis, and the last offers conclusions; an appendix indicates data sources and discusses data reliability.
Michael F. Förster and Marco Mira D’Ercole
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199860586
- eISBN:
- 9780199932948
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199860586.003.0002
- Subject:
- Social Work, Social Policy, Children and Families
Inequalities and poverty matter in both poor and rich countries. Whereas inequality and poverty manifest themselves in a variety of dimensions, income is one of the most evident manifestations, and ...
More
Inequalities and poverty matter in both poor and rich countries. Whereas inequality and poverty manifest themselves in a variety of dimensions, income is one of the most evident manifestations, and the one that better lends itself to periodic comparisons across countries and over time. Most people in OECD countries do care about income inequalities and are capable of articulating judgments on the shape of the income distribution. This chapter details the OECD's methods. The first section describes the history of research in the OECD into income distribution and poverty dating back to the mid-1970s. It also discusses some of the methodological and conceptual choices that have been made to construct more comparable indicators. The second section reviews some of the main findings from Growing Unequal?, the latest OECD study. The third section considers the limits of the OECD approach and describes some of the steps that have, or could, be undertaken to overcome those.Less
Inequalities and poverty matter in both poor and rich countries. Whereas inequality and poverty manifest themselves in a variety of dimensions, income is one of the most evident manifestations, and the one that better lends itself to periodic comparisons across countries and over time. Most people in OECD countries do care about income inequalities and are capable of articulating judgments on the shape of the income distribution. This chapter details the OECD's methods. The first section describes the history of research in the OECD into income distribution and poverty dating back to the mid-1970s. It also discusses some of the methodological and conceptual choices that have been made to construct more comparable indicators. The second section reviews some of the main findings from Growing Unequal?, the latest OECD study. The third section considers the limits of the OECD approach and describes some of the steps that have, or could, be undertaken to overcome those.
Albert Berry
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- May 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199558032
- eISBN:
- 9780191721335
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199558032.003.0013
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Macro- and Monetary Economics, Development, Growth, and Environmental
Major improvements in the quality and frequency of data on income and consumption distribution in Latin American countries have provided an adequate base for assessing trends and analysing the ...
More
Major improvements in the quality and frequency of data on income and consumption distribution in Latin American countries have provided an adequate base for assessing trends and analysing the factors (including policies) that have an impact on inequality, except in cases where conclusions are likely to depend substantially on the hardest-to-measure or least frequently measured components of income or consumption. These are capital income, accruing mainly to upper income groups (including income from the appreciation of assets), and consumption of public goods. Until household surveys are greatly improved from their present levels, other types of information will remain the main source on capital income, e.g., tax-related information. Arguably the highest potential payoff among the easily feasible improvements to the database on inequality is in the panel area, though success requires expertise inside or outside the data collection agency to keep it going. A major payoff to improvements in the information on inequality is the more efficient testing of hypotheses about the determination of distribution and its changes. Some of the required information is not related to distribution per se but rather to the phenomena whose causal links to inequality we seek to establish. Given the amount of information that falls in this category, some sort of rotating special module system is often called for. At this point it appears likely that extension of the distribution-relevant database in this direction is the highest priority in many countries.Less
Major improvements in the quality and frequency of data on income and consumption distribution in Latin American countries have provided an adequate base for assessing trends and analysing the factors (including policies) that have an impact on inequality, except in cases where conclusions are likely to depend substantially on the hardest-to-measure or least frequently measured components of income or consumption. These are capital income, accruing mainly to upper income groups (including income from the appreciation of assets), and consumption of public goods. Until household surveys are greatly improved from their present levels, other types of information will remain the main source on capital income, e.g., tax-related information. Arguably the highest potential payoff among the easily feasible improvements to the database on inequality is in the panel area, though success requires expertise inside or outside the data collection agency to keep it going. A major payoff to improvements in the information on inequality is the more efficient testing of hypotheses about the determination of distribution and its changes. Some of the required information is not related to distribution per se but rather to the phenomena whose causal links to inequality we seek to establish. Given the amount of information that falls in this category, some sort of rotating special module system is often called for. At this point it appears likely that extension of the distribution-relevant database in this direction is the highest priority in many countries.
Ke-young Chu, Hamid Davoodi, and Sanjeev Gupta
- Published in print:
- 2004
- Published Online:
- August 2004
- ISBN:
- 9780199271412
- eISBN:
- 9780191601255
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0199271410.003.0010
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental
Provides an overview of the changes in income distribution in developing and transition countries in recent decades, and assesses the incidence of taxes and government expenditure in these countries. ...
More
Provides an overview of the changes in income distribution in developing and transition countries in recent decades, and assesses the incidence of taxes and government expenditure in these countries. For the overview of income distribution, the chapter relies largely on a set of newly available ‘high‐quality’ income‐distribution data. For the assessment of tax and government expenditure incidence, it relies on existing incidence studies on individual countries. The chapter has five sections: Introduction; The Role of Taxes and Social Spending; Selective Literature Survey—a survey of the studies on the incidence of taxes and expenditure, paying particular attention to the incidence of government spending on education and health, and reviewing the available evidence for a large number of developing countries; Role of Taxes and Government Social Spending Policy—this section offers an overview of the changes in income distribution in developing countries from the 1970s to the 1990s, with separate discussion of the nature of tax reforms and social expenditure policy and their distributional implications in selected countries (Hungary, Indonesia, and Thailand); and Summary and Conclusions.Less
Provides an overview of the changes in income distribution in developing and transition countries in recent decades, and assesses the incidence of taxes and government expenditure in these countries. For the overview of income distribution, the chapter relies largely on a set of newly available ‘high‐quality’ income‐distribution data. For the assessment of tax and government expenditure incidence, it relies on existing incidence studies on individual countries. The chapter has five sections: Introduction; The Role of Taxes and Social Spending; Selective Literature Survey—a survey of the studies on the incidence of taxes and expenditure, paying particular attention to the incidence of government spending on education and health, and reviewing the available evidence for a large number of developing countries; Role of Taxes and Government Social Spending Policy—this section offers an overview of the changes in income distribution in developing countries from the 1970s to the 1990s, with separate discussion of the nature of tax reforms and social expenditure policy and their distributional implications in selected countries (Hungary, Indonesia, and Thailand); and Summary and Conclusions.
A. B. Atkinson
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- September 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780199532438
- eISBN:
- 9780191714559
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199532438.003.0002
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental, International
This introductory chapter begins with a brief discussion of the overall theme of this book, which is the distribution of individual earnings or household income. Specifically, the book examines ...
More
This introductory chapter begins with a brief discussion of the overall theme of this book, which is the distribution of individual earnings or household income. Specifically, the book examines changes in earnings differences or dispersion over time. The interest in this topic is largely attributed to rise in earnings dispersion in the US since the 1980s.Less
This introductory chapter begins with a brief discussion of the overall theme of this book, which is the distribution of individual earnings or household income. Specifically, the book examines changes in earnings differences or dispersion over time. The interest in this topic is largely attributed to rise in earnings dispersion in the US since the 1980s.
Tsuneo Ishikawa
- Published in print:
- 2002
- Published Online:
- November 2003
- ISBN:
- 9780198288626
- eISBN:
- 9780191596469
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/019828862X.003.0001
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Public and Welfare
The first part of Ch. 1 outlines the purpose and organization of the book. The second part provides an overview of the current labour participation structure, and of the structure and distribution of ...
More
The first part of Ch. 1 outlines the purpose and organization of the book. The second part provides an overview of the current labour participation structure, and of the structure and distribution of income and wealth in Japan. It also draws attention to the pitfalls that may arise in interpreting the data on these issues.Less
The first part of Ch. 1 outlines the purpose and organization of the book. The second part provides an overview of the current labour participation structure, and of the structure and distribution of income and wealth in Japan. It also draws attention to the pitfalls that may arise in interpreting the data on these issues.
Tsuneo Ishikawa
- Published in print:
- 2002
- Published Online:
- November 2003
- ISBN:
- 9780198288626
- eISBN:
- 9780191596469
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/019828862X.003.0007
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Public and Welfare
This chapter discusses the basic determinants of the generation of wealth and its distribution across households; it has four sections. Section 7.1 considers the life cycle motive as a basis of ...
More
This chapter discusses the basic determinants of the generation of wealth and its distribution across households; it has four sections. Section 7.1 considers the life cycle motive as a basis of household saving behaviour, paying particular attention to the role played by the pension annuity system. Section 7.2 discusses the role of education in transmitting wealth between parents and children. Section 7.3 turns to the topic of macroeconomics and looks at how the rate of return is determined in the long term, thereby showing how the theoretical discussions in this book form a general equilibrium framework. Section 7.4 takes up the question of asset and related expectations––asset price fluctuation is considered one of the major causes of generation of huge wealth in the short term, but there are various conflicting dimensions to this problem.Less
This chapter discusses the basic determinants of the generation of wealth and its distribution across households; it has four sections. Section 7.1 considers the life cycle motive as a basis of household saving behaviour, paying particular attention to the role played by the pension annuity system. Section 7.2 discusses the role of education in transmitting wealth between parents and children. Section 7.3 turns to the topic of macroeconomics and looks at how the rate of return is determined in the long term, thereby showing how the theoretical discussions in this book form a general equilibrium framework. Section 7.4 takes up the question of asset and related expectations––asset price fluctuation is considered one of the major causes of generation of huge wealth in the short term, but there are various conflicting dimensions to this problem.
