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Individus, familles et bien-être social

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  • Bourguignon, François

    (École des Hautes Études, Paris)

Abstract

This paper considers the problem of comparing the welfare of families with different size and composition in normative income distribution studies. We first summarize the problems linked with the concept and the measurement of equivalence scales. Then, we discuss the criterion of "generalized dominance" which permits to free the analysis from the choice of a particular equivalence scale and the limitations of that criterion. Finally, we investigate the relevance of recent theoretical and empirical work on the intra-family allocation of goods and labour in making comparisons across families. It may be thought that by focussing on individuals rather than on families these models permit to avoid using equivalence scales altogether. Cet article examine le problème de la comparaison entre familles de taille et composition différente dans les analyses normatives de la distribution des revenus. Sont d’abord rappelées les faiblesses logiques de la notion et de l’estimation d’échelle d’équivalence. On examine alors le critère de la « dominance généralisée » qui permet de se libérer du choix d’une échelle d’équivalence, en même temps que les limitations inhérentes à ce critère. On s’interroge enfin sur la pertinence des travaux théoriques et empiriques récents sur l’allocation intra-familiale des biens pour effectuer des comparaisons inter-familiales. On peut en effet penser que l’accent mis par ces modèles sur l’individu devrait en effet rendre inutile le passage par les échelles d’équivalence.

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  • Bourguignon, François, 1993. "Individus, familles et bien-être social," L'Actualité Economique, Société Canadienne de Science Economique, vol. 69(4), pages 243-258, décembre.
  • Handle: RePEc:ris:actuec:v:69:y:1993:i:4:p:243-258
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    Cited by:

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    2. Henri Martin & Hélène Périvier, 2018. "Les échelles d'équivalence à l'épreuve des nouvelles configurations familiales," Sciences Po publications info:hdl:2441/56j05jth3g9, Sciences Po.
    3. repec:hal:spmain:info:hdl:2441/56j05jth3g9eoq20p24hjbt2um is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Luis J. Imedio Olmedo & Encarnación M. Parrado Gallardo & Maria Dolores Sarrión Gavilán, 2003. "Códigos impositivos lineales. Su efecto sobre poblaciones heterogéneas," Hacienda Pública Española / Review of Public Economics, IEF, vol. 167(4), pages 57-85, December.
    5. Luis José Imedio Olmedo & Encarnación Macarena Parrado Gallardo & María Dolores Sarrión Gavilán, 2005. "Horizontal equity, equal progression: an utilitarian approach," Hacienda Pública Española / Review of Public Economics, IEF, vol. 174(3), pages 87-115, September.

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