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Tricks with the lorenz curve

Author

Listed:
  • Subramanian Sreenivasan

    (Madras Institute of Development Studies)

Abstract

This note develops, for the Gini coefficient of inequality, a very simple generalization that directly incorporates judgments on ‘relative inter-group inequality aversion' by making the inequality measure sensitive to the skewness of the Lorenz curve. The resulting family of inequality indices can be seen as complements to the Gini coefficient: some members of the family reflect ‘left-leaning', and others ‘right-leaning', distributional values relative to the ‘centrist' position assumed by Gini.

Suggested Citation

  • Subramanian Sreenivasan, 2010. "Tricks with the lorenz curve," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 30(2), pages 1594-1602.
    • Handle: RePEc:ebl:ecbull:eb-10-00256
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kolm, Serge-Christophe, 1976. "Unequal inequalities. II," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 13(1), pages 82-111, August.
    2. Kolm, Serge-Christophe, 1976. "Unequal inequalities. I," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 12(3), pages 416-442, June.
    3. Yitzhaki, Shlomo, 1983. "On an Extension of the Gini Inequality Index," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 24(3), pages 617-628, October.
    4. Donaldson, David & Weymark, John A., 1980. "A single-parameter generalization of the Gini indices of inequality," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 22(1), pages 67-86, February.
    5. Sen, Amartya, 1973. "On Economic Inequality," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198281931.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Lorenz Curve; Gini coefficient; skewness;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D6 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics
    • I3 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty

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