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Inequality and envy

Author

Listed:
  • Cowell, Frank
  • Ebert, U

Abstract

Using a simple axiomatic structure we characterise two classes of inequality indices - absolute and relative - that take into account “envy” in the income distribution. The concept of envy incorporated here concerns the distance of each person’s income from his or her immediately richer neighbour. This is shown to be similar to justice concepts based on income relativities.

Suggested Citation

  • Cowell, Frank & Ebert, U, 2006. "Inequality and envy," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 2689, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:2689
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    File URL: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/2689/
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Arnsperger, Christian, 1994. "Envy-Freeness and Distributive Justice," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 8(2), pages 155-186, June.
    2. Frank Cowell & Udo Ebert, 2004. "Complaints and inequality," Social Choice and Welfare, Springer;The Society for Social Choice and Welfare, vol. 23(1), pages 71-89, August.
    3. Bossert, Walter & D'Ambrosio, Conchita, 2006. "Reference groups and individual deprivation," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 90(3), pages 421-426, March.
    4. Armin Falk & Markus Knell, 2004. "Choosing the Joneses: Endogenous Goals and Reference Standards," Scandinavian Journal of Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 106(3), pages 417-435, October.
    5. Yitzhaki, Shlomo, 1982. "Relative deprivation and economic welfare," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 17(1), pages 99-113.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Inequality; envy; transfer principle;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement

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