Polarization: Concepts, measurement, estimation

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Duclos, JY; Esteban, J; Ray, D
• 署名单位: Laval University; Laval University; Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC); CSIC - Institut d'Analisi Economica (IAE); Autonomous University of Barcelona; Pompeu Fabra University; New York University
• 刊物名称: ECONOMETRICA
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0012-9682
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-0262.2004.00552.x
• 发表日期: 2004
• 页码: 1737-1772
• 关键词: free statistical-inference; stochastic-dominance

摘要

We develop the measurement theory of polarization for the case in which income distributions can be described using density functions. The main theorem uniquely characterizes a class of polarization measures that fits into what we call the identity-alienation framework, and simultanously satisfies a set of axioms. Second, we provide sample estimators of population polarization indices that can be used to compare polarization across time or entities. Distribution-free statistical inference results are also used in order to ensure that the orderings of polarization across entities are not simply due to sampling noise. An illustration of the use of these tools using data from 21 countries shows that polarization and inequality orderings can often differ in practice.