Influence Of Income Inequality Research Articles

Does Income Inequality Lead to Terrorism? Evidence from the Post-9/11 Era

We study the influence of income inequality on terrorism. Using cross-national data for 79 countries for the 2002-2012 period, we show that endogeneity matters to the inequality-terrorism relationship, e.g., because of the distributional effects of terrorism. Once endogeneity is properly accounted for by means of an instrumental-variable approach, higher levels of income inequality result in more terrorist activity. This finding is robust to different definitions of the dependent variable, different estimation techniques and different instruments for income inequality. Our finding that inequality fuels terrorism is consistent with relative deprivation theory which argues that conflict results from frustration over the actual distribution of economic resources within a society.

Inequality of Income Distribution and Economics Growth in the Regions of Russia in the Post-Crisis Period

Income distribution is one of the factors influencing economic growth. At present time, the regional aspect of such influence is an important sphere of research. The present article is intended to view the aspects of the influence of income distribution differentiation on economic growth on the example of the Russian regions in post-crisis period. The research results are presented in the form of regression model, estimating the differences in the growth rates of gross regional products in Russia in post-crisis 2010. The explanatory variables are Gini coefficients as an indicator of income inequality, and a number of other indicators characterizing the regional development in 2006 — 2010. Special attention is paid to the influence of 2008 crisis on the differences of regions by the level of dependent variable. Cross-sectional regression model based on the Russian Federation regions data shows the positive influence of changes in income distribution on the rate of economic growth. The general result of the research is confirmation of the hypothesis of the influence of income inequality on economic growth at the regional level in Russia. The observed effect is positive and statistically significant. The effect is relatively short-term, both from the point of view of the dependent variable (the yearly growth rate of GRP is used in the model), and from the point of view of the time lag between the year of dependent variable observation, 2010, and the period of observation, for which the Gini coefficient is significant in regression equation (2006-2007). Pre-crisis value of the Gini coefficient does not determined the differences in economic growth in the regions of Russia in 2011-2012. The results can be used in predicting the pace of regional development in Russia in the post-crisis period, as well as in the implementation of regional economic policy in times of crisis in order to maximize regional economic growth after the crisis.

Salud autorreferida: influencia de la pobreza y la desigualdad del área de residencia

ObjectiveTo evaluate the influence of income inequality and poverty in the towns of Bogotá, Colombia, on poor self-rated health among their residents. MethodsThe study was based on a multipurpose survey applied in Bogotá-Colombia. A hierarchical data structure (individuals=level1, locations=level 2) was used to define a logit-type multilevel logistic model. The dependent variable was self-perceived poor health, and local variables were income inequality and poverty. All analyses were controlled for socio-demographic variables and stratified by sex. ResultsThe prevalence of self-reported fair or poor health in the study population was 23.2%. Women showed a greater risk of ill health, as well as men and women with a low educational level, older persons, those without work in the last week and persons affiliated to the subsidized health system. The highest levels of poverty in the city increased the risk of poor health. Cross-level interactions showed that young women and men with a low education level were the most affected by income inequality in the locality. ConclusionsIn Bogotá, there are geographical differences in the perception of health. Higher rates of poverty and income inequality were associated with an increased risk of self-perceived poor health. Notable findings were the large health inequalities at the individual and local levels.

Activity Limitation in the Elderly People and Inequalities in Brazil

Functional status decline in elderly individuals can compromise home life and lead to social isolation. Therefore, we aimed to determine the influence of income inequality on the limitation of activities among elderly people in Brazil. The present study included 18,484 individuals aged 60 years old or more from data of the Health Supplement of the National Household Sample Survey (PNAD), conducted in 2008. Random effects ordinal regression was proposed for multilevel analysis of the Global Activity Limitation Index (GALI), and its association among independent variables on two levels. With regards to socio-demographic status, the factors most commonly associated with activity limitation were as follows: 75 years old or more; female; living with others; living in urban areas; earning less than two minimum wages and having completed three or less years of study. With regards to health status: poor or very poor self-perceived health, hospitalization in the last 12 months, continued use of medication and depression. On a contextual level, income inequality exerted a major influence on activity limitations in elderly individuals. Analysis of these results should also consider the limitations of the data. The rural sample is not complete, because the rural north was excluded due the logistical complexity required to conduct a survey in this area. In addition, it was not possible to use any measures of cognitive disability or mental health. We concluded that the limitations in activities among elderly individuals are reflected widely in the worsening self-rated health and condition of depression. Chronic diseases should be associated with increased activity limitations, especially chronic kidney disease, arthritis, tendinitis and cancer. The effective preventive and rehabilitation strategies for reducing the activity limitations in the elderly population should be implemented, considering the social determinants and the determinants of disability.

Inequality and the Dynamics of Public Opinion: The Self‐Reinforcing Link Between Economic Inequality and Mass Preferences

This article assesses the influence of income inequality on the public's policy mood. Recent work has produced divergent perspectives on the relationship between inequality, public opinion, and government redistribution. One group of scholars suggests that unequal representation of different income groups reproduces inequality as politicians respond to the preferences of the rich. Another group of scholars pays relatively little attention to distributional outcomes but shows that government is generally just as responsive to the poor as to the rich. Utilizing theoretical insights from comparative political economy and time‐series data from 1952 to 2006, supplemented with cross‐sectional analysis where appropriate, we show that economic inequality is, in fact, self‐reinforcing, but that this is fully consistent with the idea that government tends to respond equally to rich and poor in its policy enactments.

Inequality and trust in Sweden: Some inequalities are more harmful than others

We present new evidence on the influence of income inequality on generalized trust. Using individual panel data from Swedish counties together with an instrumental variable strategy, we find that differences in disposable income, and especially differences among people in the bottom half of the income distribution, are associated with lower trust. The relationship between income inequality and trust is particularly strong for people with a strong aversion against income differentials. We also find that the proportion of people born in a foreign country is negatively associated with trust.

Inequality and Trust: Some Inequalities are More Harmful than Others

We present new evidence on the influence of income inequality on generalized trust. Using individual panel data from Swedish counties together with an instrumental variable strategy we find that differences in disposable income, and especially differences among people in the bottom half of the income distribution, are associated with lower trust. The relationship between income inequality and trust is particularly strong for people with a strong aversion against income differentials. We also find that the proportion of people born in a foreign country is negatively associated with trust.

Income inequality and alcohol use: a multilevel analysis of drinking and drunkenness in adolescents in 34 countries

Economic inequality has been hypothesized to be a health determinant, independent of poverty and household income. The goal of this study was to explore the contextual influences of income inequality on alcohol use and frequency of drunkenness in adolescents. The Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study surveyed 162 305 adolescents (ages 11, 13 and 15 years) in 34 countries, providing self-report data on family affluence, alcohol consumption and episodes of drunkenness. Country-level data on income inequality and overall wealth were retrieved from the United Nations Development Program. Multilevel logistic regression revealed that 11- and 13-year-olds in countries of high income inequality consumed more alcohol than their counterparts in countries of low income inequality (after adjustment for sex, family affluence and country wealth). No such effect on alcohol consumption was found in 15-year-olds. Eleven-year-olds in countries of high income inequality reported more episodes of drunkenness than their counterparts in countries of low income inequality. No such effect of income inequality on drunkenness was found in 13- or 15-year-olds. Income inequality may have a contextual influence on the use of alcohol among younger adolescents. Findings suggest that economic policies that affect the distribution of wealth within societies may indirectly influence the use of alcohol during early and mid-adolescence.

Income Inequality and Health: Do the Equivalence Scales Matter?

The aim of this paper is to explore the relationship between income inequality and health in the European Union countries using new data from the European Community Household Panel (ECHP). The heterogeneity of the households has been approached using different equivalence scales. A variety of different model specifications were tried using different dependent variables such as life expectancy at birth and child mortality. The results give support to the influence of income inequality on health indicators using aggregate data and panel techniques, and show the sensitivity of the Gini index to the equivalence scale considered.

Effects of income inequality on population health: new evidence from the european community household panel

This study provides new evidence in order to explore the relationship between income inequality and health in the European Union countries using new data from the European Community Household Panel (ECHP). A variety of different specifications were tried using diverse dependent variables such as life expectancy at birth and child mortality. The results show new support to the influence of income inequality on health indicators using aggregate data and panel techniques.

Health inequality indicators: a discussion of some methodological approaches as applied to neonatal mortality in the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro, 2000

Epidemiology has investigated the relationship between health status and different social and economic factors ever since the field emerged. Studies have consistently shown that the population's health status bears a strong social gradient, invariably unfavorable to the less privileged groups. Increasing interest in understanding and characterizing health inequalities has broadened the discussion in the recent literature on appropriate concepts and methodological procedures for measuring differences in health status according to socioeconomic level. This study presents a critical assessment of health inequality indicators, focusing on the following: the redistribution principle and its application to health status; the influence of income inequality; epidemiological and statistical approaches to the problem; and evaluation of health system performance in reducing health inequalities. As an example, inequalities in the neonatal mortality rate are analyzed in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2000, according to the mother's level of schooling, reviewing the minimum requisites for defining an adequate health inequality indicator.

Institutional Quality and Income Distribution

Institutional Quality and Income Distribution