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The implicit equidistributional bias of human development

Author

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  • Guido Lüchters

    (University of Bonn, Germany)

  • Lukas Menkhoff

    (Aachen University of Technology, Germany; and Center for Development Research, University of Bonn, Germany)

Abstract

The innovation of HDI versus GDP measurement significantly prefers countries with a more equal income distribution. This result also holds true for different data definitions and several indicators of distribution. It is also robust against some degree of error in the input data, identified using Monte Carlo simulations. The HDI thus reveals a clear implicit value judgement compared with GDP measurement. It provides an established distribution-sensitive measure of development. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Suggested Citation

  • Guido Lüchters & Lukas Menkhoff, 2000. "The implicit equidistributional bias of human development," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 12(5), pages 613-623.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jintdv:v:12:y:2000:i:5:p:613-623
    DOI: 10.1002/1099-1328(200007)12:5<613::AID-JID640>3.0.CO;2-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Gentilini, Ugo & Webb, Patrick, 2008. "How are we doing on poverty and hunger reduction? A new measure of country performance," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 33(6), pages 521-532, December.

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