Using the Kuznets' inverted-U-shaped association as a structural constraint, we model the social tradeoff between changing inequality and changing income. Observed outcomes are thought of as attempts to find a constrained political-economic optimum. This model implies estimates of the parameters of a social welfare function. Our results suggest that the world is becoming an anti-egalitarian place. An extension of the model links this finding to religious heritage, exchange rate instability, and, surprisingly, to increased gender equality.
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Find related papers by JEL classification: O10 - Economic Development, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General O15 - Economic Development, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration O50 - Economic Development, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - General
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Roland Bénabou, 1996.
"Inequality and Growth,"
NBER Chapters,
in: NBER Macroeconomics Annual 1996, Volume 11, pages 11-92
National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
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