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Einkommensungleichheit und Umverteilung in Westdeutschland, Großbritannien und Schweden 1950 bis 2000

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  • Christoph Birkel

Abstract

Based on national sources and data from the Luxembourg Income Study (LIS), a description of the long-term development of the income distribution and redistribution in three countries representing distinct welfare regimes (West Germany, the United Kingdom, and Sweden) is given. The frequently documented "U-turn" is identified in all three countries, even when the composition of the population is kept constant. The findings regarding differences in levels as well as trends in distributional effects of transfers are not affected by differences or changes in the demographic structure, too, but show up more clearly if those are controlled for. The evidence regarding redistributive efficiency predominantly supports Korpi und Palme's thesis of the "paradox of redistribution". The findings are discussed with respect to the future development of income inequality and redistributive policies. Die langfristige Entwicklung der Einkommensverteilung und der Verteilungswirkung von Transfers in Westdeutschland, dem Vereinigten Königreich und Schweden als Exponenten unterschiedlicher wohlfahrtsstaatlicher Regime wird anhand von Daten aus nationalen Quellen und der Luxembourg Income Study (LIS) dargestellt. Der vielfach dokumentierte "U-Turn" findet sich in allen drei Ländern auch bei Kontrolle von Kompositionseffekten. Ebenso werden die Befunde für Niveauunterschiede und Entwicklungstendenzen bei der Umverteilungswirkung nicht erheblich durch Unterschiede beziehungsweise Veränderungen in der demographischen Struktur beeinflusst, treten bei deren Kontrolle aber deutlicher hervor. Die vorliegende Evidenz bezüglich der Umverteilungseffizienz unterstützt überwiegend Korpi und Palmes These des "Umverteilungsparadoxes". Die Befunde werden im Hinblick auf die zukünftige Entwicklung von Einkommensungleichheit und Umverteilungspolitiken diskutiert.

Suggested Citation

  • Christoph Birkel, 2006. "Einkommensungleichheit und Umverteilung in Westdeutschland, Großbritannien und Schweden 1950 bis 2000," Vierteljahrshefte zur Wirtschaftsforschung / Quarterly Journal of Economic Research, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research, vol. 75(1), pages 174-194.
    • Handle: RePEc:diw:diwvjh:75-1-11
    DOI: 10.3790/vjh.75.1.174
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    1. Joakim Palme & Walter Korpi, 1998. "The Paradox of Redistribution and Strategies of Equality: Welfare State Institutions, Inequality and Poverty in the Western Countries," LIS Working papers 174, LIS Cross-National Data Center in Luxembourg.
    2. Vincent Mahler & David Jesuit, 2004. "State Redistribution in Comparative Perspective: A Cross-National Analysis of the Developed Countries," LIS Working papers 392, LIS Cross-National Data Center in Luxembourg.
    3. Paolo Figini, 1998. "Inequality Measures, Equivalence Scales and Adjustment for Household Size and Composition," Economics Technical Papers 988, Trinity College Dublin, Department of Economics.
    4. Alois Guger, 1989. "The Distribution of Household Income in Germany," WIFO Working Papers 35, WIFO.
    5. Gottschalk,Peter & Gustafsson,Bjorn A. & Palmer,Edward E. (ed.), 1997. "Changing Patterns in the Distribution of Economic Welfare," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521562621.
    6. Willem Adema, 2001. "Net Social Expenditure: 2nd Edition," OECD Labour Market and Social Policy Occasional Papers 52, OECD Publishing.
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    1. Kroh Tanja, 2016. "Wie wirken Steuern auf die Einkommens- und Vermögensverteilung?," Zeitschrift für Wirtschaftspolitik, De Gruyter, vol. 65(1), pages 022-046, May.

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