Inequality aversion and the natural rate of subjective inequality

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Lambert, PJ; Millimet, DL; Slottje, D
• 署名单位: Southern Methodist University; University of York - UK
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF PUBLIC ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0047-2727
• DOI: 10.1016/S0047-2727(00)00171-7
• 发表日期: 2003
• 页码: 1061-1090
• 关键词: natural rate of inequality; INEQUALITY; inequality aversion; redistribution; Income distribution

摘要

This paper analyzes inequality aversion across countries and identifies factors which explain the empirical heterogeneity observed across these countries. We do this by hypothesizing a 'natural rate' of subjective inequality across countries and solving for the explicit country-specific value of the inequality aversion parameter that is consistent with the hypothesized natural rate. We present evidence consistent with the existence of a natural rate of subjective inequality by verifying that countries with low (high) tolerance for inequality have low (high) inequality as measured by the Gini coefficient as well. Finally, we explore the socio-economic factors that are consistent with observed differences in inequality aversion across these countries, finding important effects of female empowerment, public education expenditures, per capita income, economic growth, and population size. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V.