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The Atlas of Inequality Aversion: Theory and Empirical Evidence from the Luxembourg Income Study Database

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  • Stanislaw Maciej Kot
  • Piotr Paradowski

Abstract

In the distributive analysis, the constant relative inequality aversion utility function is a standard tool for ethical judgements of income distributions. The sole parameter ε of this function expresses a society’s aversion to inequality. However, the profession has not committed to the range of ε. This paper aims to estimate the parameter ε of the constant relative inequality aversion utility function using datasets available from the Luxembourg Income Study Database. We utilise the method of estimating ε assuming incomes obey the generalised beta distribution of the second kind. The estimator of ε is derived from the mathematical condition of the existence of the social welfare function. We elaborate an ‘atlas’ of 388 estimates of ε for 55 countries across time. We also verify two hypotheses: 1) The richer the country, the greater the societal inequality aversion; 2) The greater (lower) the inequality aversion, the lower (greater) income inequality. Our data do not confirm the 1st hypothesis. For verifying the 2nd hypothesis, we use the inequality-development relationship augmented by inequality aversion. The 2nd hypothesis is unfalsified in about 90% of country-year cases.

Suggested Citation

  • Stanislaw Maciej Kot & Piotr Paradowski, 2022. "The Atlas of Inequality Aversion: Theory and Empirical Evidence from the Luxembourg Income Study Database," LIS Working papers 826, LIS Cross-National Data Center in Luxembourg.
    • Handle: RePEc:lis:liswps:826
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    3. Michał Bernard Pietrzak & Marta Kuc-Czarnecka, 2022. "Transformation of Energy Markets: Description, Modeling of Functioning Mechanisms and Determining Development Trends," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-6, July.

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    JEL classification:

    • C10 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - General
    • D30 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - General
    • D60 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - General
    • I30 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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