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Measuring Economic Inequalities (In French)

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  • Patrick MOYES

Abstract

We give in this note an overview of the way income inequality is approached in economics.\r\nWe first recall the basic properties that any inequality index is required to possess and\r\nwe insist on the distinction between the indices of relative inequality and the indices of\r\nabsolute inequality. We present next the ethical approach to inequality measurement and\r\nwe derive the Atkinson-Kolm-Sen (AKS) and the Kolm-Pollak (KP) families of indices.\r\nThe search for a consensus among general classes of indices leads us to the criteria of\r\nrelative Lorenz and absolute Lorenz dominances. Finally we briefly discuss the properties\r\nof decomposablity that allow one to measure the contribution to overall income\r\ninequality of the inequality attached to a particular subgroup of the population or to a\r\nparticular income source.

Suggested Citation

  • Patrick MOYES, 2009. "Measuring Economic Inequalities (In French)," Cahiers du GREThA (2007-2019) 2009-06, Groupe de Recherche en Economie Théorique et Appliquée (GREThA).
  • Handle: RePEc:grt:wpegrt:2009-06
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    File URL: http://cahiersdugretha.u-bordeaux.fr/2009/2009-06.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Shorrocks, A F, 1980. "The Class of Additively Decomposable Inequality Measures," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 48(3), pages 613-625, April.
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    6. Donaldson, David & Weymark, John A., 1980. "A single-parameter generalization of the Gini indices of inequality," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 22(1), pages 67-86, February.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Inequality Indices; Minimal Properties for an Inequality Index; Lorenz Curves; rnEthical Inequality Indices; Decomposition of Inequality.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D30 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - General
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement

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