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Exploring the relationship between military engagement and income inequality in the LAC region (1990-2022)

Author

Listed:
  • Adelaide Baronchelli

    (Department of Economics and Statistics “Cognetti de Martiis”, University of Turin)

  • Antonella Biscione

    (CESPIC, Catholic University “Our Lady of Good Counsel”)

  • Raul Caruso

    (CSEA, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, CESPIC Catholic University “Our Lady of Good Counsel”)

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate the relationship between military engagement, defined as a country's overall involvement in military activities, and income inequality using a panel of countries in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region from 1990 to 2022. We consider both short and a long-term effect of military engagement by using two distinct measures: the military burden, defined as the proportion of military spending to GDP, and the Global Militarization Index (GMI). We interpret the military burden as a short-term indicator and the GMI as a long-term measure. Our results reveal that: (i) the military burden is negatively correlated with income inequality, while (ii) the GMI is positively associated with it.

Suggested Citation

  • Adelaide Baronchelli & Antonella Biscione & Raul Caruso, 2025. "Exploring the relationship between military engagement and income inequality in the LAC region (1990-2022)," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 45(2), pages 979-987.
    • Handle: RePEc:ebl:ecbull:eb-25-00103
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    JEL classification:

    • D6 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics
    • D3 - Microeconomics - - Distribution

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