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GINI DP 17: Income Inequality, Value Systems and Macroeconomic Performance

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This paper offers a comprehensive econometric investigation of the impact of income inequality on the values endorsed by people. Using survey data from thirty-three OECD countries over a period of twenty-eight years, the following dimensions of value systems are investigated: work ethic, civism, obedience, honesty, altruism, and tolerance. In most cases, no robust effects from inequality on values are detected. However, there is some weak evidence that a more equal income distribution might reduce the work ethic of the population and increase its tolerance. JEL-Classifi cation: D63, O15, O57, Z1

Suggested Citation

  • Giacomo Corneo, 2011. "GINI DP 17: Income Inequality, Value Systems and Macroeconomic Performance," GINI Discussion Papers 17, AIAS, Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Labour Studies.
    • Handle: RePEc:aia:ginidp:17
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    Cited by:

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    2. Giacomo Corneo & Frank Neher, 2014. "Income inequality and self-reported values," The Journal of Economic Inequality, Springer;Society for the Study of Economic Inequality, vol. 12(1), pages 49-71, March.
    3. Zagórski, K. & Piotrowska, K., 2013. "GINI DP 66: Income Inequality in Nations and Sub- national Regions, Happiness and Economic Attitudes," GINI Discussion Papers 66, AIAS, Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Labour Studies.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • O57 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Comparative Studies of Countries
    • Z1 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics

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