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Do financial reforms help stabilize inequality?

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  • McAdam, Peter
  • Christopoulos, Dimitris

Abstract

We explore the relationship between financial reforms and income inequality using a panel of 29 countries over 1975-2005. We extend panel unit root tests to allow for the presence of some financial-reform covariates and further suggest an associated but novel, semi-parametric approach. Results demonstrate that although both gross and net Gini indices follow a unit root process, this picture can change when financial reform indices are accounted for. In particular, whilst gross Gini coefficients are generally not stabilized by financial reforms, net measures are (more likely to be). Thus financial reforms enacted in the presence of a strong safety net would seem preferable. JEL Classification: C01, C12, D63, G15

Suggested Citation

  • McAdam, Peter & Christopoulos, Dimitris, 2015. "Do financial reforms help stabilize inequality?," Working Paper Series 1780, European Central Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:ecb:ecbwps:20151780
    Note: 50336
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    8. Shaikh, Aijaz A. & Glavee-Geo, Richard & Karjaluoto, Heikki, 2017. "Exploring the nexus between financial sector reforms and the emergence of digital banking culture – Evidences from a developing country," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 1030-1039.
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    10. Yousef Makhlouf & Neil M. Kellard & Dmitri V. Vinogradov, 2020. "Finance‐Inequality Nexus: The Long And The Short Of It," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 58(4), pages 1977-1994, October.
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    13. Ablam Estel Apeti & Kwamivi Mawuli Gomado, 2024. "International monetary fund conditionality and structural reforms: Evidence from developing countries," Post-Print hal-04723871, HAL.
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    16. Krawczyk, Jacek B & Townsend, Wilbur, 2015. "New Zealand inequality and the struggle between capital and labour," Working Paper Series 4156, Victoria University of Wellington, School of Economics and Finance.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    financial reform; fractional integration; Gini coefficient; inequality; panel; unit root;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C01 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - General - - - Econometrics
    • C12 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Hypothesis Testing: General
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • G15 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - International Financial Markets

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