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Does Finance Alter The Relation Between Inequality And Growth?

Author

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  • Matías Braun
  • Francisco Parro
  • Patricio Valenzuela

Abstract

This paper introduces a model in which greater inequality reduces growth in economies with low levels of financial development but that this effect is attenuated in economies with more developed systems. The model also predicts that individuals in economies with developed financial markets have a higher tolerance to inequality. Using a panel dataset that covers a large number of countries, this paper shows empirical evidence that is consistent with the main predictions of the model. Overall, this paper's major findings highlight that some of the pernicious effects of inequality can be attenuated by improving access to credit. (JEL D3, E6, P1, O4, I2)

Suggested Citation

  • Matías Braun & Francisco Parro & Patricio Valenzuela, 2019. "Does Finance Alter The Relation Between Inequality And Growth?," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 57(1), pages 410-428, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ecinqu:v:57:y:2019:i:1:p:410-428
    DOI: 10.1111/ecin.12581
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Yousef Makhlouf & Neil M. Kellard & Dmitri V. Vinogradov, 2020. "Finance‐Inequality Nexus: The Long And The Short Of It," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 58(4), pages 1977-1994, October.
    2. Mdingi, Kholeka & Ho, Sin-Yu, 2023. "Income inequality and economic growth: An empirical investigation in South Africa," MPRA Paper 117733, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Köppl-Turyna, Monika & Christl, Michael & De Poli, Silvia, 2024. "Does redistribution hurt growth? An empirical assessment of the redistribution-growth relationship in the European Union," Research Papers 27, EcoAustria – Institute for Economic Research.
    4. Ibolya Török & József Benedek & Manuel Gómez-Zaldívar, 2022. "Quantifying Subnational Economic Complexity: Evidence from Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-22, August.
    5. Seher Gülşah Topuz, 2022. "The Relationship Between Income Inequality and Economic Growth: Are Transmission Channels Effective?," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 162(3), pages 1177-1231, August.
    6. Bojaj, Martin M. & Djurovic, Gordana & Fabris, Nikola & Milovic, Nikola, 2023. "Top 1% and inequality connectedness in the EMU and WB," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 139-155.
    7. Thornton, John & Tommaso, Caterina Di, 2020. "The long-run relationship between finance and income inequality: Evidence from panel data," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 32(C).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D3 - Microeconomics - - Distribution
    • E6 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook
    • P1 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Capitalist Economies
    • O4 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity
    • I2 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education

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