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Multidimensional Nation Wellbeing, More Equal yet More Polarized: An Analysis of the Progress of Human Development since 1990

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  • Gordon Anderson
  • Alessio Farcomeni
  • Maria Grazia Pittau
  • Roberto Zelli

Abstract

Mounting concern regarding inadequacies of per capita GDP or GNI as a source of nation wellbeing classi cation and comparison lead to the employment of multidimensional approaches with attendant concerns regarding their arbitrary and complex nature. Here, based upon commonalities in multidimensional behavior of nations, feasible, less arbitrary, classi cation methodologies and techniques for assessing wellbeing within and between groups are proposed. Implementation in a three dimensional study of 164 countries from 1990 to 2014 in a Human Development Index (HDI) framework reveals substantive multi-dimensional growth in a slowly evolving, relatively immobile three group world exhibiting simultaneous increases in equality and polarization with a growing Lower HD class and shrinking Middle and High HD classes.

Suggested Citation

  • Gordon Anderson & Alessio Farcomeni & Maria Grazia Pittau & Roberto Zelli, 2018. "Multidimensional Nation Wellbeing, More Equal yet More Polarized: An Analysis of the Progress of Human Development since 1990," Working Papers tecipa-602, University of Toronto, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:tor:tecipa:tecipa-602
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    Cited by:

    1. Boarini, Romina & Causa, Orsetta & Fleurbaey, Marc & Grimalda, Gianluca & Woolard, Ingrid, 2018. "Reducing inequalities and strengthening social cohesion through inclusive growth: A roadmap for action," Economics - The Open-Access, Open-Assessment E-Journal (2007-2020), Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel), vol. 12, pages 1-26.
    2. Gordon Anderson & Alessio Farcomeni & Maria Grazia Pittau & Roberto Zelli, 2019. "Rectangular latent Markov models for time‐specific clustering, with an analysis of the wellbeing of nations," Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series C, Royal Statistical Society, vol. 68(3), pages 603-621, April.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Wellbeing; Human Development Index; Multi-dimensional Mixture Models; Class membership; Inequality; Polarization; Mobility.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods: General
    • I32 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Measurement and Analysis of Poverty
    • O1 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development

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