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Partisan Conflict and Income Distribution in the United States: A Nonparametric Causality-in-Quantiles Approach

Author

Listed:
  • Mehmet Balcilar

    (Eastern Mediterranean University, Northern Cyprus, via Mersin 10, Turkey, Montpellier Business School, Montpellier, France and University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa)

  • Seyi Saint Akadiri

    (Eastern Mediterranean University, Northern Cyprus, via Mersin 10, Turkey)

  • Rangan Gupta

    (University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa)

  • Stephen M. Miller

    (University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA)

Abstract

This study examines the predictive power of a partisan conflict index on income inequality. Our study adds to the existing literature by using the newly introduced nonparametric causality-in-quantile testing approach to examine how political polarization in the Unites States affects several measures of income inequality and distribution overtime. The study uses annual time-series data from 1917-2013. We find evidence of a causal relationship running from partisan conflict to income inequality, except at the upper end of the quantiles. The study suggests that a reduction in partisan conflict will lead to a more equal income distribution.

Suggested Citation

  • Mehmet Balcilar & Seyi Saint Akadiri & Rangan Gupta & Stephen M. Miller, 2017. "Partisan Conflict and Income Distribution in the United States: A Nonparametric Causality-in-Quantiles Approach," Working Papers 201741, University of Pretoria, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:pre:wpaper:201741
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Shinhye Chang & Rangan Gupta & Stephen M. Miller, 2018. "Causality Between Per Capita Real GDP and Income Inequality in the U.S.: Evidence from a Wavelet Analysis," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 135(1), pages 269-289, January.
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    8. Periklis Gogas & Rangan Gupta & Stephen M. Miller & Theophilos Papadimitriou & Georgios Antonios Sarantitis, 2015. "Income Inequality: A State-by-State Complex Network Analysis," Working Papers 201534, University of Pretoria, Department of Economics.
    9. Andrew Gelman & Lane Kenworthy & Yu‐Sung Su, 2010. "Income Inequality and Partisan Voting in the United States," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 91(5), pages 1203-1219, December.
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    12. Mehmet Balcilar & Stelios Bekiros & Rangan Gupta, 2017. "The role of news-based uncertainty indices in predicting oil markets: a hybrid nonparametric quantile causality method," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 53(3), pages 879-889, November.
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    15. Brian Burgoon, 2013. "Inequality and anti-globalization backlash by political parties," European Union Politics, , vol. 14(3), pages 408-435, September.
    16. Jeong, Kiho & Härdle, Wolfgang K. & Song, Song, 2012. "A Consistent Nonparametric Test For Causality In Quantile," Econometric Theory, Cambridge University Press, vol. 28(4), pages 861-887, August.
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    18. Nishiyama, Yoshihiko & Hitomi, Kohtaro & Kawasaki, Yoshinori & Jeong, Kiho, 2011. "A consistent nonparametric test for nonlinear causality—Specification in time series regression," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 165(1), pages 112-127.
    19. Hiemstra, Craig & Jones, Jonathan D, 1994. "Testing for Linear and Nonlinear Granger Causality in the Stock Price-Volume Relation," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 49(5), pages 1639-1664, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Cai, Yifei & Wu, Yanrui, 2019. "Time-varied causality between US partisan conflict shock and crude oil return," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    2. Seyi Saint Akadiri & Ada Chigozie Akadiri, 2018. "Growth and Inequality in Africa: Reconsideration," Academic Journal of Economic Studies, Faculty of Finance, Banking and Accountancy Bucharest,"Dimitrie Cantemir" Christian University Bucharest, vol. 4(3), pages 76-86, September.
    3. Christian Pierdzioch & Rangan Gupta & Hossein Hassani & Emmanuel Silva, 2018. "Forecasting Changes of Economic Inequality: A Boosting Approach," Working Papers 201868, University of Pretoria, Department of Economics.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Partisan Conflict; Income Distribution; Quantile Causality;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C22 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Time-Series Models; Dynamic Quantile Regressions; Dynamic Treatment Effect Models; Diffusion Processes
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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