Wealth Mobility: The Missing Element

J. R. Kearl and Clayne L. Pope

No 692, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: We consider the problems that may arise when cross sectional data alone are used for inferences about individual welfare, the existence of elites, the possibilities of class boundaries, the openness of a society, etc. We also consider problems with alternative measures of socio-economic position. We then use a sample of 2400 households observed over one or two decade intervals together with data on the population of households at each observation point to examine mobility within the distribution of wealth for an almost closed economy, Utah, 1850-1870. We use information on households to examine those characteristics that contribute to mobility. We find considerable mobility, much apparently stochastic, within quite highly skewed distributions of wealth that also exhibit increasing inequality through time.

Date: 1981-06
Note: DAE
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Published as Kearl, J.R. "The Life Cycle in Economic History," Journal of Economic History, (March 1983).
Published as J. R. Kearl & Clayne L. Pope, 1983. "Wealth Mobility: The Missing Element," Journal of Interdisciplinary History, vol 13(3).

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