Income Redistribution Research Articles

“Power, control, strain”: Lay perceptions of health inequalities across England's ‘North South divide’

People in the North of England live shorter, less healthy lives than those in the South. Despite the significance of this ‘North South health divide’, regional health inequalities in England are under-researched qualitatively. Existing literature on geographical inequalities in health is largely confined to the neighbourhood level, is quantitative, and consists of very little lay knowledge. The current study is the first to examine lay perspectives of health inequalities on a regional level: exploring how people living in two urban areas of the North and South of England experience and perceive the North South health divide – including its causes and solutions. Using three focus group discussions with a total of 34 participants, and conducting participatory analysis, we identified three key themes: ‘inequalities of power’, ‘lack of control over lived environment’ and ‘communities under strain’. Findings align with existing research on lay perspectives of health inequalities at the neighbourhood level – identifying a network of material-structural and psychosocial factors. Participants across both regions discussed political and economic structures as central to understanding regional health inequalities, supporting calls to adopt a political economy approach in understanding health and place. Deindustrialisation, unemployment, loss of community facilities, and disengagement from politics were more present in Northern narratives than Southern. Findings add important ‘social meaning’ to emerging research on the North South health divide, reinforcing the urgency of public health professionals' recommendations for fair redistribution of power, wealth and resources to reduce regional health inequalities. In the context of government policy which diverges from public health evidence, this study sparks questions of how health inequalities research can intersect with wider social and political movements organising for systemic change.

ANALISIS PENGARUH PERTUMBUHAN EKONOMI, PENDIDIKAN, DAN TINGKAT PENGANGGURAN TERHADAP KEMISKINAN DI INDONESIA TAHUN 2013 - 2022

This study examines the impact of economic growth, education, and unemployment rates on poverty in Indonesia. While numerous studies have explored these relationships, this research aims to fill the gap by utilizing recent data and the Random Effect model for panel data analysis. The objective is to understand how these variables influence poverty levels and to provide relevant policy recommendations. The methodology includes t-statistics to test the partial effects and F-statistics to test the simultaneous effects of the independent variables on the dependent variable. The findings indicate that economic growth does not significantly affect poverty, whereas education and unemployment rates have significant impacts. The conclusions suggest the importance of income redistribution policies, improving access to and quality of education, and job creation in reducing poverty. This research contributes by highlighting the crucial roles of education and unemployment in the context of poverty alleviation in Indonesia and proposes evidence-based policies to support more inclusive development.

Income inequality and income poverty in a cross-national perspective

Abstract This commentary—a reflection on the Bourquin, Brewer and Wernham article in this collection—draws on harmonized microdata from the Luxembourg Income Study (LIS) Database. It aims to place selected results from the UK in cross-national perspective. The comparator countries, all high-income, include one Nordic country, Norway; one continental European country, Germany; and three other Anglophone countries, Australia, Canada and the USA. The commentary assesses each of these key outcomes, both cross-nationally and over time: income inequality and redistribution, top-half and bottom-half income inequality, and child and elderly poverty. It closes with a brief discussion of policy lessons.

How inequality undermines institutions

Abstract This commentary, on an article by Satz and White, argues that redistribution of wealth for the purpose of advancing equality (rather than improving the worst off) can be provided an institutional defence. The argument is that major institutions of society—the market, the legal system, the educational system, and agency regulation—perform their social functions most effectively when inequality is not too high.

Determinants of the inheritance behaviors among FELDA communities in Malaysia: A study using the PLS-SEM approach

This study aims to identify the impact of inheritance literacy, inheritance socialization, inheritance stress, and peer influence on the inheritance behaviors among FELDA communities in Malaysia. Inheritance literacy pertains to individuals’ comprehension of wealth transfer and estate planning, while peer influencer evaluates friends’ impact on inheritance attitudes; inheritance socialization explores family interactions’ role in shaping inheritance attitudes, and inheritance stress measures emotional strain in inheritance matters, with inheritance behaviors encompassing asset management and wealth transfer decisions for future generations by individuals and families. Understanding inheritance behaviors is crucial, as it helps individuals depict their inheritance knowledge and attitudes toward FELDA inheritance better, fostering a more favorable inheritance attitude. Through self-administered survey questionnaires, data related to FELDA communities are obtained using convenience sampling from 413 respondents. This study applies Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) technique to test the research hypotheses. The present study’s outcome confirms that two determinants, which are inheritance literacy and inheritance socialization significantly influence the inheritance behavior of FELDA communities. However, inheritance stress and peer influence determinants have statistically insignificant influence inheritance behavior. This study’s theoretical framework enriches the discussions on wealth management and financial behavior by refining and expanding upon existing financial behavior theories to incorporate inheritance-specific behaviors. The present study is exclusive in its effort to ascertain the relative importance of both inheritance behavior and the FELDA communities. This paper will assist the government, inheritance service providers, and policymakers in offering innovative economic schemes and designing policies that may enhance the inheritance behavior wellbeing of FELDA communities. This article also provides a roadmap to guide future research in this area.

A route towards modern, creative and innovative services as a contribution to sustainable development: The case of Tourism in Costa Rica

Costa Rica, due to the characteristics of its territory, can offer modern, creative and innovative services in its tourism, based on knowledge, that use high technology and/or have qualified labor. Data from the BCCR indicates that, in the last decade, the percentage of tourism contribution to GDP was approximately 5%, therefore, a route is presented for sustainable and inclusive development, which enables quality jobs and promotes better redistribution of wealth among the inhabitants, framed with the commitment to the SDGs, adequate control of the macroeconomic variables of the domestic and international market; and changing the general tourism law, with the aim to have an activity governing body oriented to better coordination and management and its contribution to development.

Ungleichheit – Gift für den gesellschaftlichen Zusammenhalt und für die repräsentative Demokratie

Abstract The socio-economic inequality that has been growing for some time now is poison for social cohesion and representative democracy. In order to break through the indifference that still prevails towards socio-economic inequality and make more equality possible, people must become aware that the future redistribution of wealth to those who created it is not just about achieving more social justice, but also about preserving social peace, preventing centrifugal tendencies and weakening anti-democratic forces.

THE TAXING DIVIDES: EXPLORING THE NEXUS BETWEEN INCOME INEQUALITY, ECONOMIC GROWTH, AND TAXATION

This paper investigates the impact of income inequality and economic growth on tax revenues within the context of six SAARC countries, using panel data from 1990 to 2021. By applying various econometric models, including Pooled Ordinary Least Squares (POLS), Fixed Effects (FE), Random Effects (RE), and Pooled Mean Group (PMG), the study evaluates the relationship between tax-to-GDP ratios and key variables like GDP, income inequality (GINI), economic freedom, and employment. Results from the Random Effects model indicate that income inequality negatively affects tax revenues, while GDP growth, economic freedom, and employment have positive and significant impacts. The PMG model further supports these findings, revealing long-term equilibrium relationships. This research contributes to understanding the economic determinants of tax buoyancy in developing countries, highlighting policy implications for balancing income redistribution and economic efficiency.

Kinship, lineage resources (wealth flow transfers), and intimate partner violence among women in Ghana

Previous research has established relationships between lineage and intimate partner violence (IPV). The findings suggest matrilineal women experience less IPV than patrilineal women. However, the IPV outcomes of bilateral women are unknown because of the limited operationalization of lineage with ethnicity. In our study, we used self-reported and multidimensional measures of lineage to explore its relationship with IPV, focusing particularly on the mechanisms linking the two. We hypothesized that wielding resources would be negatively associated with IPV. Furthermore, matrilineal women's access to lineage resources would reduce their vulnerability to IPV relative to patrilineal women. To examine these hypotheses, we collected data from 1700 ever-married Ghanaian women residing in three ecological zones (coastal, middle, northern). Path analysis was used to explore resources as mechanisms linking lineage and IPV. Our findings indicated resources were patterned by lineage. Matrilineal women benefitted more from maternal family members than patrilineal women and vice versa. Consistent with the standard resource theory, women's access to resources protected against IPV, and the effects were stronger for matrilineal than patrilineal women. Irrespective of how lineage was measured, matrilineal women experienced lower levels of IPV than patrilineal women. The IPV outcomes for bilateral women were mixed. Part of matrilineal women's reduced IPV risk was explained through access to maternal resources. While patrilineal women experienced higher levels of IPV, this was reversed with resources from paternal kin members. Our findings suggest that as resources are fundamental to reducing IPV, lineage can serve as a conduit for resource exchange and wealth transfer.

ECONOMIC SYSTEMS: GROWTH AND DISTRIBUTION

The economic system of any country mainly defines and predetermines the essence of that social order and its driving forces. The production and economic relations formed within the society and, first of all, the flows of distribution and redistribution of national wealth and income are predetermined based on the property rights of people and different groups over the means of production. Especially the inequality of wealth and income within society, which deepens and expands with time due to that circumstance. Nevertheless, economic growth and its pace are of decisive importance for ensuring socio-economic acceleration and solving many problems. And, although the role of the economic system in sustainable development and social cooperation is great, Russia's 140-year economic history and implemented economic policy prove that the professional skills and experience of those implementing economic policy, the ability to correctly navigate difficult situations and find appropriate solutions, are of great importance.

Five worlds of social reproduction after the new millennium: placing transitional China in a three-dimensional model of social reproduction

Since the late 2000s, China has accelerated reconstruction of the welfare state against the backdrop of the second transition. Following a typological approach, this study proposes an analytical framework for assessing varieties of social reproduction before delving into a comparative look at China’s national institutional framework, in which China is regarded as a transitional economy and a late bloomer. As represented in three dimensions, countries have production regimes that diverge in the degree of coordination, welfare regimes that differ in the degree of decommodification, and labor reproduction regimes that vary in the degree of depatriarchalization. We investigate the convergence and divergence of advanced economies, transitional economies, and the emerging economies of East Asian countries. Hierarchical cluster analysis and a three-dimensional map illustrate the varieties of regimes at the intersections of production, welfare, and reproduction. With the help of institutional complementarities, five worlds of social reproduction are distinguished: the late blooming, the liberal, the catch-up/transitional, the conservative, and the social democratic. China’s production regime converges with that of continental Europe and Post-Socialist societies based on institutional arrangements of nonmarket coordination; however, limited income maintenance and redistribution policies, the absence of family-friendly policies, and the regendering of the division of labor make China’s institutional mix appear more compatible with East Asian societies than Western ones. The institutional complementarities between the welfare and labor reproduction regimes reveal a social reproduction scenario that is less than purely late blooming.

Codesigning youth diversion programmes with community-led organisations: a case study

Background:We explore the feasibility of applying methods of participatory codesign to collaborative service development with community-led youth diversion programmes. Collaborative partnerships can support wealth redistribution and community mobilisation, a goal of governments aiming to implement equity-focused policy. There is little systematic exploration of methods aiming to structure the relationship between government and community-led programmes as part of youth criminal-legal diversion efforts. Methods:We use case study methodology to assess the feasibility and impact of a curriculum codesign approach between a university research team and two community-led organisations providing diversion services through a county juvenile court. The codesign method was informed by participatory design and use of research evidence frameworks. Findings:The analysis focuses on the feasibility of the approach from the perspective of the university research team and community organisations as well as how well the approach successfully navigated critical components of participatory process, including shared power, deference to community vision and values, and a valued end product. We conclude that the approach was generally feasible as a quality improvement strategy and well-received by the community-led organisations. Discussion and conclusions:Codesign is a promising strategy for reconciling public administration and health equity goals. The approach used in this case study adds to a small literature on methods of using codesign as a quality improvement process with applications for government contracting and monitoring, programme development and capacity-building.

Archaeology, ethnography, and geosciences reveal central role of traditional lifeways in shaping Madagascar's dry forests.

Many communities in southwestern Madagascar rely on a mix of foraging, fishing, farming, and herding, with cattle central to local cultures, rituals, and intergenerational wealth transfer. Today these livelihoods are critically threatened by the intensifying effects of climate change and biodiversity loss. Improved understanding of ancient community-environment dynamics can help identify pathways to livelihood sustainability. Multidisciplinary approaches have great potential to improve our understanding of human-environment interactions across spatio-temporal scales. We combine archaeological survey data, oral history interviews, and high-resolution multispectral PlanetScope imagery to explore 400years of human-environment interaction in the Namonte Basin. Our analysis reveals that settlement and land-use led to significant changes in the region's ecology, both during periods of occupation and after settlement abandonment. Human activity over this period may have stabilized vegetative systems, whereby seasonal changes in vegetative health were reduced compared to surrounding locations. These ecological legacies may have buffered communities against unpredictable climate challenges.

Cultivating young philanthropists: Children, philanthropy and wealth transfer

AbstractThis article on raising wealthy children to be philanthropic is prompted by the £5.5Tn wealth transfer predicted to take place in the United Kingdom over the coming decades. The impending wealth transfer presents an unprecedented income opportunity for a charity sector faced with increasing societal needs and declining statutory income. Drawing on the premise that engaging children in philanthropic activities can lead to higher participation levels in adulthood, this paper examines how children from wealthy households engage with philanthropy at home and school. A mixed‐methods approach involving research with and not on children is used to explore what kind of philanthropic citizen these children are becoming. Two surveys, five focus groups, and four interviews were used to generate insights from 222 ‘financially secure’ 9 to 11‐year‐old children, 113 parents and four teachers. The study, drawing on models of citizenship, finds a cohort of children exhibiting characteristics aligned with the concept of ‘personally responsible’ philanthropic citizens. This outcome is considered desirable for promoting charitable giving among a demographic likely to have the means and resources to give generously in adulthood. However, the findings suggest a lack of opportunities for children to acquire the knowledge and skills that enable informed giving decisions or the spaces in which to critically engage with charities, causes, and the issues that create the need for philanthropy in the first place. The research supports calls in the literature for a more participatory and social‐justice‐oriented approach to philanthropic education and participation in schools. The findings, of interest to scholars and practitioners alike, address a gap in empirical evidence regarding children and philanthropy in the United Kingdom.

Assessing income redistribution: what are the key analytic choices?

Assessing income redistribution: what are the key analytic choices?

Medicaid Enrollment and Intergenerational Transfers of Wealth Among Older Adults.

Medicaid look-back periods are meant to prevent Medicaid applicants from gifting assets to meet eligibility requirements. These policies have the potential to affect families across generations given their ability to restrict the transfer of assets between parent and child. Using 2008-2018 data from the Health and Retirement Study, this study analyzed the estate planning and familial wealth transfer behaviors of a cohort of older adults aged 65 and older who became Medicaid recipients during a 10-year period. There were 8,347 respondents aged 65 and older in 2008 and 11.96% of respondents who were not Medicaid recipients at baseline became recipients over the study period. A little more than one third (36.47%) of Medicaid recipients participated in estate planning and asset transfer prior to becoming a recipient, with significant differences among select demographic characteristics. Married recipients were more likely to transfer money compared to their widowed counterparts (51.69% compared to 36.44%; p < .001) and transferred larger amounts compared to those unmarried ($16,286.94 compared to 5,379.13). White, well-educated, married, men participated in higher rates of estate planning, likely a reflection of who has access to resources to make necessary arrangements early. This analysis concludes that more structurally advantaged groups are more likely to engage in estate planning prior to Medicaid enrollment. This analysis demonstrates that some individuals may circumvent Medicaid policies like look-back periods and estate recovery, while others cannot. Policymakers should consider policies that promote the financial health of low-income families.

Marongge Pellet Ritual: A Socio-Economic Phenomenon in Sumedang Indonesia

Purpose: Describe what social-economic phenomenon exists and the process of the Marongge pellet ritual in Sumedang, Indonesia Theoretical reference: This study is based on sociological, economic, and cultural studies. The Marongge Pellet Ritual at Sumedang West Java, Indonesia. Method: Using a normative qualitative methodology, with a phenomenon approach. Data collection through field work, interviews and surveys. Results and Conclusion: The results of this study show that the Marongge Pellet Ritual is a multifaceted socio-economic phenomenon that plays a vital role in the cultural and economic life of Sumedang, Indonesia. The ritual process begins with pilgrimage, worship, and prayers, after which the custodian provides the requirements that must be brought after being prayed for. Implications of research: The ritual's role in promoting social cohesion and economic redistribution aligns with studies on sacred values and their influence on decision-making processes. Understanding how sacred values shape behaviors and contribute to conflict resolution can provide a broader perspective on the significance of rituals like the Marongge Pellet Ritual in maintaining community harmony. Understanding how traditional rituals contribute to local communities' poverty alleviation and income generation is essential for developing sustainable economic models. Originality/value: It presents a unique socioeconomic phenomenon that justifies the exploration of its originality and value within the local context. This ritual is likely to have importance in the community as it interweaves economic activities with cultural practices. Understanding the originality and value of this ritual can shed light on its socioeconomic implications and offer insights into the dynamics of traditional practices in contemporary society.

Kebijakan Moneter dalam Ekonomi Islam

Monetary policy in Islamic economics is an important aspect in maintaining economic stability and promoting the welfare of the people. In the Islamic economic paradigm, monetary policy aims to create a balance between sustainable economic growth and fair distribution of wealth. Principles such as fairness, sustainability and fairness are the basis for formulating monetary policy. First, monetary policy must ensure that the creation of new money is carried out responsibly, avoiding inflation that is detrimental to society. In addition, the Islamic monetary system encourages the use of financial instruments based on sharia principles, such as mudharabah and musyarakah, which encourage healthy economic participation. Second, monetary policy must pay attention to aspects of wealth redistribution to reduce economic inequality. This can be achieved through collecting zakat, infaq and sadaqah as well as channeling funds to sectors in need, such as education, health and poverty alleviation. By implementing monetary policy in accordance with Islamic economic principles, it is hoped that an economy that is inclusive, sustainable and fair can be realized for all members of society.

Is Indirect Taxes Bad for the Poor? Examining the Determinants of Poverty in Pakistan

This study investigates the determinants of poverty in Pakistan from 1985 to 2023, focusing on unemployment, inflation, indirect taxes, secondary school enrollment, and total population as key variables. Employing the Augmented Dickey-Fuller unit root test, the analysis finds that while many variables exhibit non-stationary behavior at levels, they become stationary at first difference, ensuring the reliability of time series analysis. The ARDL Bounds Analysis confirms the significant relationship between poverty and its predictors, indicating that changes in these variables markedly impact poverty levels. The estimated long-run and short-run results highlight the significant roles of inflation, secondary school enrollment, total population, and unemployment in influencing poverty, with diagnostic tests affirming the model's robustness. The study underscores the positive relationship between secondary school enrollment and poverty reduction, advocating for increased investment in education. The analysis reveals that indirect taxes do not significantly impact poverty levels, yet suggests a review of the tax structure to ensure it does not disproportionately burden low-income households. A progressive tax system could aid in wealth redistribution and support poverty reduction efforts. The positive correlation between total population and poverty levels indicates that rapid population growth strains resources and infrastructure, highlighting the need for effective population management strategies, including family planning programs and investments in healthcare and education. Unemployment's significant impact on poverty calls for targeted interventions to create job opportunities. Policymakers should promote economic diversification, support SMEs, and implement active labor market policies such as job training and placement programs. While higher inflation rates are associated with lower poverty levels in this analysis, maintaining inflation within a manageable range is crucial to avoid eroding purchasing power and harming economic stability. The study advocates for continuous and comprehensive data collection to enable timely and evidence-based interventions, enhancing the effectiveness of poverty reduction strategies. Prioritizing inclusive economic growth, fostering an environment conducive to investment, innovation, and entrepreneurship can create jobs and reduce poverty, ultimately supporting sustainable socio-economic development.

National wealth in the context of the transformation of the socio-economic system

The subject of the research is the functions of national wealth, considered in the context of the transformation of the socio-economic system. National wealth in the context of the transformation of the socio-economic system is one of the fundamental indicators that reflects the totality of tangible and intangible resources at the disposal of the nation. During the transformation of the socio-economic system, there is a redistribution of national wealth between sectors of the economy. Transformation requires reforming state institutions, legal systems and management structures - this can affect the efficiency of using national wealth, increasing or decreasing economic stability, national security and investment attractiveness of the country. In modern conditions, special attention is paid to sustainable development, which involves the rational use of natural resources and minimization of environmental risks. Transformation of the system aimed at sustainable development contributes to the preservation and increase of national wealth in the long term. The purpose of the work is to determine the content and structure of national wealth in the context of the transformation of the socio-economic system. The research methodology is based on the generalization of information from domestic and foreign sources, statistical data on the issues considered in the work. The scientific novelty of the study consists in identifying qualitative changes in the characteristics of national wealth in the modern conditions of transformation of the socio-economic system. The article highlights the following stages (phases) in the development of the socio-economic system: crisis phase (destabilization phase), phase of awareness of the need for change, reform base (transformation phase), phase of adaptation and stabilization, phase of growth and development, phase of consolidation and institutionalization. The results of the study can be considered as an increase in scientific knowledge in economic theory.