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The distributional dimension of the resource curse: Commodity price shocks and income inequality

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  • Mohtadi, Soran
  • Castells-Quintana, David

Abstract

How does high dependence on natural resources affect income inequality? Surprisingly little is known about the impact of dependence on primary goods on income distribution. Building on insights from the resource curse literature, this paper studies the relationship between income shocks through changes in commodity prices and income inequality in a panel of 80 countries from 1990 to 2016. We analyze differentiated effects of commodity price shocks depending on the type of commodity (labor vs. capital-intensive). We also study differences across world regions and explore potential mechanisms by looking at different types of inequality (pay-driven vs. capital-rents-driven). Results show that commodity price shocks have an impact on income inequality. However, this impact depends on the type of commodity and inequality.

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  • Mohtadi, Soran & Castells-Quintana, David, 2021. "The distributional dimension of the resource curse: Commodity price shocks and income inequality," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 59, pages 63-78.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:espost:263322
    DOI: 10.1016/j.strueco.2021.08.002
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    2. Li, Yurog & Cong, Zhenglong & Xie, Yufan & Wang, Yan & Wang, Hongmei, 2022. "The relationship between green finance, economic factors, geopolitical risk and natural resources commodity prices: Evidence from five most natural resources holding countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    3. Njangang, Henri & Asongu, Simplice A. & Tadadjeu, Sosson & Nounamo, Yann & Kamguia, Brice, 2022. "Governance in mitigating the effect of oil wealth on wealth inequality: A cross-country analysis of policy thresholds," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    4. Lotfalipour, Mohammad Reza & sargolzaie, Ali & Salehnia, Narges, 2022. "Natural resources: A curse on welfare?," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    5. Ajide, Kazeem Bello & Ridwan, Lanre Ibrahim, 2023. "Does natural resource wealth hinder or promote activity of the shadow markets in africa?," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(PA).
    6. Ponce, Pablo & Yunga, Fernando & Larrea-Silva, Jhohana & Aguirre, Nikolay, 2023. "Spatial determinants of income inequality at the global level: The role of natural resources," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    7. Aloui, Donia & Benkraiem, Ramzi & Guesmi, Khaled & Mzoughi, Hela, 2023. "Managing natural resource prices in a geopolitical risk environment," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    8. Huda, Md Nazmul & Hossain, Sayed Mohammad Athar & Shaturaev, Jakhongir, 2023. "Effect of Commodity Exchange on the Economy- Prospects and Challenges," MPRA Paper 118331, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 14 Mar 2023.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    resource curse; commodity price shocks; inequality; natural resources; resource booms; development;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • Q33 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Nonrenewable Resources and Conservation - - - Resource Booms (Dutch Disease)

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