Inequality of opportunity and growth

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Marrero, Gustavo A.; Rodriguez, Juan G.
• 署名单位: Universidad de la Laguna; Complutense University of Madrid
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0304-3878
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2013.05.004
• 发表日期: 2013
• 页码: 107-122
• 关键词: income inequality; Inequality of opportunity; Economic growth

摘要

Theoretical and empirical studies exploring the effects of income inequality upon growth reach a disappointing inconclusive result. This paper postulates that one reason for this ambiguity is that income inequality is actually a composite measure of inequality of opportunity and inequality of effort. They may affect growth through opposite channels, thus the relationship between inequality and growth depends on which component is larger. Using the PSID database for the U.S. in 1970, 1980 and 1990 we find robust support for a negative relationship between inequality of opportunity and growth, and a positive relationship between inequality of effort and growth. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved,