Une réévaluation de la relation inégalité croissance à travers la théorie de la recherche de rente

This article uses the most recent results from literature concerning the inequality-growth relationship to illustrate that it is not the level of inequality that is important but its origin. If inequalities derive from pure profit-seeking activity, the sign between inequality and growth is positive. If, on the contrary, inequalities derive from intensive rent-seeking activity, the sign will be negative. The rent-profit distinction suggests the usefulness of building a pseudo-Gini coefficient index that breaks down the Gini function at the origin of the inequalities, rent or profit, and suggests that it is the institutions that determine the efficient or inefficient nature of inequalities. We must not, under these conditions, reduce the inequalities but only limit the inequalities derived from rent-seeking. The solution is not to implement redistribution policies by taxation or public spending but to correct institutional failures.