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Classical Horizontal Inequity and Reranking: an Integrating Approach

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Author Info
Duclos, Jean-Yves
Jalbert, Vincent
Araar, Abdelkrim

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Abstract

The last 20 years have seen a significant evolution in the literature on horizontal inequity (HI) and have generated two major and "rival" methodological strands, namely, classical HI and reranking. We propose in this paper a class of ethically flexible tools that integrate these two strands. This is achieved using a measure of inequality that merges the well-known Gini coefficient and Atkinson indices, and that allows a decomposition of the total redistributive effect of taxes and transfers into a vertical equity effect and a loss of redistribution due to either classical HI or reranking. An inequality-change approach and a money-metric cost-of-inequality approach are developed. The latter approach makes aggregate classical HI decomposable across groups. As in recent work, equals are identified through a nonparametric estimation of the joint density of gross and net incomes. An illustration using Canadian data from 1981 to 1994 shows a substantial, and increasing, robust erosion of redistribution attributable both to classical HI and to reranking, but does not reveal which of reranking or classical HI is more important since this requires a judgement that is fundamentally normative in nature.

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Paper provided by CIRPEE in its series Cahiers de recherche with number 0306.

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Date of creation: 2003
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Handle: RePEc:lvl:lacicr:0306

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Keywords: Horizontal Inequity Reranking Tax Equity Inequality Canadian Tax System

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Find related papers by JEL classification:
C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods
D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
H23 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Externalities; Redistributive Effects; Environmental Taxes and Subsidies

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References listed on IDEAS
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Full references

Cited by:
(explanations, Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.)

  1. Peter J. Lambert & Giuseppe Lanza, 2003. "The effect on inequality of changing one or two incomes," IFS Working Papers W03/15, Institute for Fiscal Studies. [Downloadable!]
  2. Peter J. Lambert & Giuseppe Lanza, 2003. "The Effect on Inequality of Changing One or Two Incomes," University of Oregon Economics Department Working Papers 2003-15, University of Oregon Economics Department, revised 10 Sep 2003. [Downloadable!]
  3. Sami Bibi & Jean-Yves Duclos, 2003. "Equity and Policy Effectiveness with Imperfect Targeting," Cahiers de recherche 0335, CIRPEE. [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  4. O'Neill, Donal & Van Kerm, Philippe, 2004. "A new approach for analysing income convergence across countries," IRISS Working Paper Series 2004-03, IRISS at CEPS/INSTEAD. [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  5. Jean-Yves Duclos, 2006. "Equity and Equality," IZA Discussion Papers 2284, Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA). [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  6. Paul Allanson, 2006. "On the characterisation and measurement of the redistributive effects of agricultural policy," Discussion Papers 188, University of Dundee, Economic Studies. [Downloadable!]
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