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Revisiting comparisons of income inequality when Lorenz curves intersect

Author

Listed:
  • James Davies

    (University of Western Ontario)

  • Michael Hoy

    (University of Guelph)

  • Lin Zhao

    (Southwestern University of Finance and Economics)

Abstract

The main contribution of Davies and Hoy (Am Econ Rev 85:980–986, 1995) was a “necessary and sufficient” condition for comparing inequality between income distributions according to the principle of transfer sensitivity (PTS). Chiu (Soc Choice Welf 28:375–399, 2007) showed that although the condition is sufficient, it is not necessary. In this paper, we provide the correct necessary and sufficient condition, and demonstrate with a simple example how the corrected condition allows for more pairs of distributions to be ranked by PTS. The correction clarifies the connection between Lorenz curve comparisons and inequality rankings when the curves intersect.

Suggested Citation

  • James Davies & Michael Hoy & Lin Zhao, 2022. "Revisiting comparisons of income inequality when Lorenz curves intersect," Social Choice and Welfare, Springer;The Society for Social Choice and Welfare, vol. 58(1), pages 101-109, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:sochwe:v:58:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1007_s00355-021-01343-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s00355-021-01343-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. 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.
    2. Davies, James & Hoy, Michael, 1995. "Making Inequality Comparisons When Lorenz Curves Intersect," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 85(4), pages 980-986, September.
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    4. Marat Ibragimov & Rustam Ibragimov & Paul Kattuman & Jun Ma, 2018. "Income inequality and price elasticity of market demand: the case of crossing Lorenz curves," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 65(3), pages 729-750, May.
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    6. Davies, James B. & Shorrocks, Anthony F., 2000. "The distribution of wealth," Handbook of Income Distribution, in: A.B. Atkinson & F. Bourguignon (ed.), Handbook of Income Distribution, edition 1, volume 1, chapter 11, pages 605-675, Elsevier.
    7. Cowell, Frank, 2011. "Measuring Inequality," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, edition 3, number 9780199594047.
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