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Institutional determinants of inequality in chosen post-socialist countries: the role of political freedom

Author

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  • Slawomir Kuzmar

    (Poznan University of Economics and Business)

  • Dawid Piatek

    (Poznan University of Economics and Business)

Abstract

Motivation: economic literature indicates that differences in the inequality levels among modern countries can be attributed to many factors or processes such as: economic performance, natural resources endowments, demographical structure or institutional framework. It seems to be important to emphasize that in the case of post-socialist countries where many predetermined trajectories of inequalities were adopted policies and institutions played an important role in shaping inequality. Aim: in this context the question about the role of political freedom — as one of the key aspects of institutional framework — for the levels of inequality in these countries seems to be especially important. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the role of different political institutions adopted in post-socialist countries for the levels of income inequalities observed among them. Results: the obtained results indicate that the post-socialist countries which managed to create more inclusive political institutions experience lower inequalities in the distribution of disposable income.

Suggested Citation

  • Slawomir Kuzmar & Dawid Piatek, 2019. "Institutional determinants of inequality in chosen post-socialist countries: the role of political freedom," Ekonomia i Prawo, Uniwersytet Mikolaja Kopernika, vol. 18(3), pages 295-315, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpn:umkeip:v:18:y:2019:i:3:p:295-315
    DOI: 10.12775/EiP.2019.021
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    political freedom; post-socialist countries; inequality;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E02 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General - - - Institutions and the Macroeconomy
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • N33 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - Europe: Pre-1913

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