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Income Inequality, The World Values Survey, And The Interaction Of Cultural Dimensions

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  • Jeffrey A. EDWARDS
  • Alfredo ROMERO
  • Cephas NAANWAAB

Abstract

Globally, the unequal distribution of income has been one of the hottest topics in development economics ever since Kuznets' famous hypothesis in 1955. Much of this research, however, avoids investigation into the effect(s) that cultural values and norms have on the level of income inequality in a nation--information that would be invaluable to governments addressing this topic. Using the World Values Survey, we find that secular, individualist societies will have lower inequality than traditional collective societies, but this generalization comes with caveats depending upon the level of income in the country and the degree of interaction between the two variables.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeffrey A. EDWARDS & Alfredo ROMERO & Cephas NAANWAAB, 2022. "Income Inequality, The World Values Survey, And The Interaction Of Cultural Dimensions," Applied Econometrics and International Development, Euro-American Association of Economic Development, vol. 22(2), pages 5-24.
  • Handle: RePEc:eaa:aeinde:v:22:y:2022:i:2_1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Giulio Zanella & Marina M. Bellani, 2024. "The volatility of survey measures of culture and its consequences," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 62(2), pages 675-697, April.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    World Values Survey; Gini coefficient; income inequality; culture; values;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O1 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • Z1 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics

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