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Robust determinants of income distribution across and within countries

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  • Liang Frank Shao

Abstract

Multicollinearity widely exists in empirical studies, which leads to imprecise estimation and even endogeneity when omitted variables are correlated with any regressors. We apply an innovative strategy, different from the usual tools (instrumental variable, ridge regression, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator), to estimate the robust determinants of income distribution. We transform panel data into (quasi-) cross-sectional data by removing country and time effects from the data so that all variables become zero mean and orthogonal to the country dummies and time variable, and multicollinearity becomes very low or even disappears with the quasi-cross sectional data in any specifications regardless of country dummies and time variable being included or not. Our contribution is threefold. First, we build a general method to address the multicollinearity issue in panel data, which is to isolate the common contents of correlated variables and ensures robust estimates in different specifications (dynamic or static specifications) and estimators (within- or between-effects estimators). Second, we find no evidence for the Kuznets hypothesis within and across countries; investment is economically and statistically the most robust determinant of income inequality; meanwhile, labor income share shows robustly and consistently positive effects on income inequality, which challenges the related literature. Last, simulations with our estimates show that the total marginal effects of development (regarding GDP, capital stock and investment) on income inequality are very likely to be positive within and between countries except that the impacts on middle-60% and top-quintile income shares are not so likely to increase income inequality across countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Liang Frank Shao, 2021. "Robust determinants of income distribution across and within countries," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(7), pages 1-29, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0253291
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253291
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Liang Frank Shao & Melanie Krause, 2020. "Rising mean incomes for whom?," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(12), pages 1-20, December.
    2. Aghion, Philippe & Bolton, Patrick, 1992. "Distribution and growth in models of imperfect capital markets," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 36(2-3), pages 603-611, April.
    3. Enrique Moral-Benito, 2013. "Likelihood-Based Estimation of Dynamic Panels With Predetermined Regressors," Journal of Business & Economic Statistics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 31(4), pages 451-472, October.
    4. Li, Hongyi & Squire, Lyn & Zou, Heng-fu, 1998. "Explaining International and Intertemporal Variations in Income Inequality," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 108(446), pages 26-43, January.
    5. Makram El‐Shagi & Liang Shao, 2019. "The Impact of Inequality and Redistribution on Growth," Review of Income and Wealth, International Association for Research in Income and Wealth, vol. 65(2), pages 239-263, June.
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