 Why measure inequality?The Journal of Economic Inequality, 2005, vol. 3, issue 1, 65-79 Abstract: A large body of literature is devoted to the measurement of income inequality, yet little attention is given to the question, Why measure inequality? However, the reasons for measurement bear importantly on whether and how measurement should be done. Upon examination, normative measures are found to be of questionable value. Descriptive measures, by contrast, may be useful, but the appropriate measure depends on the field of application rather than on general, a priori principles of the sort that are emphasized in the existing measurement literature. Measures of poverty are also considered, and similar conclusions are reached. Copyright Springer 2005 Keywords: income distribution; inequality; inequality measurement; poverty; poverty measurement; progressivity; redistribution; social welfare function (search for similar items in EconPapers) Downloads: (external link) Related works: Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:kap:jecinq:v:3:y:2005:i:1:p:65-79 Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from DOI: 10.1007/s10888-004-7947-7 Access Statistics for this article The Journal of Economic Inequality is currently edited by Stephen Jenkins More articles in The Journal of Economic Inequality from Springer, Society for the Study of Economic Inequality Contact information at EDIRC. |
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