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Inverse stochastic dominance, inequality measurement and Gini indices

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  • Claudio Zoli

Abstract

We investigate the relationship between the third degree inverse stochastic dominance criterion introduced in Muliere and Scarsini (1989) and inequality dominance when Lorenz curves intersect. We propose a new definition of transfer sensitivity aimed at strengthening the Pigou-Dalton Principle of Transfers. Our definition is dual to that suggested by Shorrocks and Foster (1987). It involves a regressive transfer and a progressive transfer both from the same donor, leaving the Gini index unchanged. We prove that finite sequences of these transfers and/or progressive transfers characterize the third degree inverse stochastic dominance criterion. This criterion allows us to make unanimous inequality judgements even when Lorenz curves intersect. The Gini coefficient becomes relevant in these cases in order to conclusively rank the distributions. Copyright Springer-Verlag 2002
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  • Claudio Zoli, 2002. "Inverse stochastic dominance, inequality measurement and Gini indices," Journal of Economics, Springer, vol. 9(1), pages 119-161, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:kap:jeczfn:v:9:y:2002:i:1:p:119-161
    DOI: 10.1007/BF03052502
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    6. Rolf Aaberge, 2009. "Ranking intersecting Lorenz curves," Social Choice and Welfare, Springer;The Society for Social Choice and Welfare, vol. 33(2), pages 235-259, August.
    7. Rolf Aaberge & Tarjei Havnes & Magne Mogstad, 2021. "Ranking intersecting distribution functions," Journal of Applied Econometrics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 36(6), pages 639-662, September.
    8. Peter Lambert, & Giuseppe Lanza, 2003. "The effect on inequality of changing one or two incomes," IFS Working Papers W03/15, Institute for Fiscal Studies.
    9. Yang Wei & Zhouping Li & Yunqiu Dai, 2022. "Unified smoothed jackknife empirical likelihood tests for comparing income inequality indices," Statistical Papers, Springer, vol. 63(5), pages 1415-1475, October.
    10. Francesco Andreoli, 2013. "Inference for Inverse Stochastic Dominance," Working Papers 295, ECINEQ, Society for the Study of Economic Inequality.
    11. Andreoli, Francesco & Havnes, Tarjei & Lefranc, Arnaud, 2014. "Equalization of Opportunity: Definitions, Implementable Conditions and Application to Early-Childhood Policy Evaluation," IZA Discussion Papers 8503, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    12. Patrick Moyes & Brice Magdalou, 2008. "Social Welfare, Inequality and Deprivation," LIS Working papers 502, LIS Cross-National Data Center in Luxembourg.
    13. Buhong Zheng, 2018. "Almost Lorenz dominance," Social Choice and Welfare, Springer;The Society for Social Choice and Welfare, vol. 51(1), pages 51-63, June.
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    15. Zheng, Buhong, 2017. "A class of generalized Sen poverty indices," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 100-103.
    16. W. Henry Chiu, 2021. "Intersecting Lorenz curves and aversion to inverse downside inequality," Social Choice and Welfare, Springer;The Society for Social Choice and Welfare, vol. 56(3), pages 487-508, April.
    17. Buhong Zheng, 2011. "A new approach to measure socioeconomic inequality in health," The Journal of Economic Inequality, Springer;Society for the Study of Economic Inequality, vol. 9(4), pages 555-577, December.
    18. Patrick Moyes, 2007. "An extended Gini approach to inequality measurement," The Journal of Economic Inequality, Springer;Society for the Study of Economic Inequality, vol. 5(3), pages 279-303, December.
    19. Tommaso Lando & Lucio Bertoli-Barsotti, 2016. "Weak orderings for intersecting Lorenz curves," METRON, Springer;Sapienza Università di Roma, vol. 74(2), pages 177-192, August.
    20. Peter Lambert & Giuseppe Lanza, 2006. "The effect on inequality of changing one or two incomes," The Journal of Economic Inequality, Springer;Society for the Study of Economic Inequality, vol. 4(3), pages 253-277, December.
    21. Francesco Andreoli & Claudio Zoli, 2020. "From unidimensional to multidimensional inequality: a review," METRON, Springer;Sapienza Università di Roma, vol. 78(1), pages 5-42, April.
    22. Michel Le Breton & Eugenio Peluso, 2009. "Third-degree stochastic dominance and inequality measurement," The Journal of Economic Inequality, Springer;Society for the Study of Economic Inequality, vol. 7(3), pages 249-268, September.
    23. Sreenivasan Subramanian, 2015. "More tricks with the lorenz curve," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 35(1), pages 580-589.

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