Distribution Of Wealth Research Articles

A curse on leisure? Resource rents and labor supply

An extensive literature establishes the resource curse, the paradoxical tendency of societies with more natural resources to have worse economic outcomes. Our formal model extends the resource curse literature in several ways. First, there may exist a general tendency for resources to crowd out private production while still increasing consumption and welfare. We establish this relation without assuming increasing returns to scale in the productive private sector, as is common in the literature. We also propose a novel resource curse to leisure time. Just as resources ‘should’ increase income—their failure to do so establishing the traditional curse—they should also allow more leisure. Recent cross-country data suggest the opposite is true. We offer initial steps toward explaining the discrepancy: resources can turn from blessing to curse on both leisure and income under flawed institutions, particularly when policymakers favor employment over leisure. Direct (re)distribution of resource wealth rather than expanded government employment presents a policy solution.

Wealth Over Woe: Global Biases in Hydro‐Hazard Research

AbstractFloods, droughts, and rainfall‐induced landslides are hydro‐hazards that affect millions of people every year. Anticipation, mitigation, and adaptation to these hazards is increasingly outpaced by their changing magnitude and frequency due to climate change. A key question for society is whether the research we pursue has the potential to address knowledge gaps and to reduce potential future hazard impacts where they will be most severe. We use natural language processing, based on a new climate hazard taxonomy, to review, identify, and geolocate out of 100 million abstracts those that deal with hydro‐hazards. We find that the spatial distribution of study areas is mostly defined by human activity, national wealth, data availability, and population distribution. Hydro‐hazard events that impact large numbers of people lead to increased research activity, but with a strong disparity between low‐ and high‐income countries. We find that 100 times more people need to be affected by hazards before low‐income countries reach comparable research activity to high‐income countries. This “Wealth over Woe” bias needs to be addressed by enabling and targeting research on hydro‐hazards in highly impacted and under‐researched regions, or in those sufficiently socio‐hydrologically similar. We urgently need to reduce knowledge base biases to mitigate and adapt to changing hydro‐hazards if we want to achieve a sustainable and equitable future for all global citizens.

Wealth and history: A reappraisal

The study revisits trends and drivers of wealth inequality and accumulation since the onset of industrialization. Empirical analysis reveals that Western countries are both wealthier and more equal today than a century ago. Wealth concentration has declined in all countries over the past century, remaining at historically low levels in Europe, while rising in the United States. These trends are largely driven by new wealth accumulation among the lower and middle classes, primarily through housing and pension savings, rather than a decline in the fortunes of the affluent. The findings challenge the view that unregulated capitalism inevitably leads to extreme wealth concentration and question the idea that wealth equalization requires shocks to capital, such as wars or progressive taxation. Instead, the evidence emphasizes the equitable effects of economic and political institutions that enable ordinary individuals to build personal wealth.

Mining-metallurgical monopoly capital in Mexico, 1960–2023

This study analyzes the historical evolution of monopoly capital in the mining-metallurgical sector in Mexico during 1960–2023, focusing on the cases of the companies Grupo México and Industrias Peñoles. The main corporate strategies used to maintain and expand their control are reviewed, as well as the economic policies and legal changes that occurred in parallel with this process, from the Mexicanization of the industry to the implementation of neoliberal policies. It is concluded that the trajectory of mining monopolies is based on the appropriation of growing revenues through land monopolization and the formation of a corporate-government network, leading to an increasing concentration of wealth and the generation of prolonged socio-environmental conflicts.

Fighting Inequality Through a Progressive Tax System for a Just Future in Tanzania

The problem of inequality is one of the economic problems that developing countries still face including Tanzania. This research therefore focuses on presenting the status and trends of inequality and the progressive tax system to pay for a just future in Tanzania. Research was anchored on the Ability-to-Pay Principle. The study was typically a desk research whereby it dwelled on analyzing and synthesizing large amounts of complex secondary data/information and literature concerning the issue of inequality in Tanzania. The target population for this study consists of secondary data sources, which included Peer-reviewed journal articles on taxation and inequality Government reports and taxation data from the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA). A purposive sampling methodology was employed to choose relevant studies and reports. This approach ascertained that only sources directly related to the research goals were included. The sample consisted of 20 sources, selected based on criteria such as: Year of publication. Content analysis was adopted in analyzing data to discover themes, patterns and trends related to progressive tax systems, income inequality reduction, and wealth distribution. Key variables such as tax policies, inequality measures (Gini coefficient), and wealth distribution patterns were extracted and analyzed to determine the effectiveness of progressive taxation in Tanzania. Findings revealed that while progressive taxes can be a remedy, the presence of large informal sectors, as in Tanzania, hinder their reach. Thus, while Tanzania’s progressive tax structure holds potential, more reforms are in need to boost implementation alongside widening the tax base. Further, the study concluded that there is little wealth-related taxation in Tanzania. Also, assets such as land ownership or financial assets are hardly/not taxed. The study recommended that given the situation, there is a great need to improve the tax collection with a focus on the existing tax base in Tanzania.

Artificial intelligence and wealth inequality: A comprehensive empirical exploration of socioeconomic implications

This study introduces a global database on artificial intelligence (AI) capital stock and related AI indicators. Using the data constructed, we investigate the impact of AI and capital stock accumulation on wealth inequality, a dimension not extensively explored in the literature. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on the socioeconomic consequences of AI, with implications for scholars, policymakers, and corporate executives. An innovative database detailing AI capital stock is developed by incorporating data from various sources, including corporate reports, industry databases, and scholarly literature. This novel dataset, focusing on the US, the EU, and Japan from 1995 to 2020, is a critical resource for future investigations. The research methodology is centered on an extended Solow–Swan model, conceptualizing AI as a form of capital that can substitute for or complement traditional forms of labor. A panel-corrected standard errors model is used to analyze the data, accounting for potential cross-sectional dependence and heteroscedasticity. Our findings reveal a positive and statistically significant correlation between AI technology adoption, AI capital stock accumulation, and wealth disparity. The analysis further indicates a complex interaction between income and wealth disparities, suggesting a mutually reinforcing cycle. This study fills a significant gap in the existing literature by offering a novel perspective on the distributional impact of AI. Our results underscore the importance of considering the broader socioeconomic implications of AI, extending beyond considerations of immediate productivity and economic growth. This study offers valuable insights for policy formulation and business decision making, emphasizing the necessity of a comprehensive understanding of the influence of AI on wealth distribution.

Socioeconomic inequalities in adverse pregnancy outcomes in India: 2004-2019.

Although India has made substantial improvements in public health, it accounted for one-fifth of global maternal and neonatal deaths in 2015. Stillbirth, abortion, and miscarriage contribute to maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. There are known socioeconomic inequalities in adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study estimated changes in socioeconomic inequalities in rates of stillbirth, abortion, and miscarriage in India across 15 years. We combined data from three nationally representative health surveys. Absolute inequalities were estimated using the slope index of inequality and risk differences, and relative inequalities were estimated using the relative index of inequalities and risk ratios. We used household wealth, maternal education, and Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe membership as socioeconomic indicators. We observed persistent socioeconomic inequalities in abortion and stillbirth from rates of 2004-2019. Women at the top of the wealth distribution reported between 2 and 5 fewer stillbirths per 1,000 pregnancies over the study time period compared to women at the bottom of the wealth distribution. Women who completed primary school, and those at the top of the household wealth distribution, had, over the study period, 5 and 20 additional abortions per 1,000 pregnancies respectively compared to women who did not complete primary school and those at the bottom of the wealth distribution. Women belonging to a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe had 5 fewer abortions per 1,000 pregnancies compared to other women, although these inequalities diminished by the end of the study period. There was less consistent evidence for socioeconomic inequalities in miscarriage, which increased for all groups over the study period. Despite targeted investments by the Government of India to improve access to health services for socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, disparities in pregnancy outcomes persist.

Flags, Verdicts and Texts: Dissident Narratives and Literary Mandates for Re-Writing Empire

Researchers theorising the intersection and intertextuality between literature and law have explored and analysed democracy, governance, and trust from diverse analytical approaches. Political and legal structures are undergoing polycrises and governance is assailed by wicked policy problems, while democratic norms and legitimacy are eroded. Trust—in all its elasticity—is increasingly polarised among groups and linked to ethnic, cultural, and place-based identities and resentments. Past and present experiences in the lace of memory show that racial categories have persisted into the postcolonial chronos, and we need to question what this means for the rhizome of democracy. New ideas and identities challenge how democracy can represent diverse groups and interests, emphasising the nourishing and symbiotic relationships between literature and law within the context of decolonising notions of global-glocal knowledge economies. Governance and legal architecture are held hostage by powerful interest groups, and axiomatic aspirations to kairos and trust in the fair distribution of wealth and resources for the institutionalisation of democracy have been enfeebled. New forms of democratic participation are emerging which challenge the concepts and premises of choice and plurality. Repeated pressures to understand major crises such as criminal and gendered violence where geopolitical instabilities weaken trust in the capacity of democratic processes have not provided acceptable and socially just verdicts. If external pressures on democratic institutions are growing, criticisms against forms of poor governance (e.g., corruption, presidential personalisation of the state, short-termism, polarisation) are also increasingly made against legal and political institutions. New expressions of distrust in flags and resistance against legal, cultural, and economic powers are immanent in literary texts. This article uses Native Son, Mating Birds, and The Trial of Dedan Kimathi to address the following question: What are the pre-requisites and co-requisites for democracy and socially just governance to flourish in legal and literary situations of heightened economic marginalisation, extreme cultural oppressions, and diminishing political legitimacy? The nexus and intersectionality between legal and literary textual structures allow for an analysis of the role and impact of social, cultural, political, and juridical reformulations in the three selected texts. I argue that the (counter)story, as interdisciplinary method, is thus tasked (and suffused) with immense possibilities.

An Application of the Dagum Type III Model to Measure Household Net Wealth Inequality in Indonesia

Abstract This paper applies the Dagum Type III model to measure household net wealth inequality in Indonesia utilising data from the Indonesian Family Life Survey (IFLS) 1993–2014. The results are the distribution of household net wealth in Indonesia is right-skewed, with long-and sparse-hand tails that reflect a large proportion of households that have very low net wealth and a small proportion of households that have very high net wealth. Further, the inequality of household net wealth in Indonesia declined, as shown by the decrease in the Gini coefficient.

Transactional pathways: Institutional possibilities for status and wealth under racial/caste capitalism

I introduce the concept of transactional pathways, coined by anthropologist Jane Guyer, to trace the institutional processes that contribute to uneven and unjust patterns of wealth and status distribution under systems of colonialism and racial/caste capitalism. Transactional pathways employ historical perspectives to reveal how divergent economic institutions and sources of valuation relate to social hierarchies. This approach links everyday economic transactions with patterns of wealth accumulation that are based not only on class, but intersectional social groups including race, caste, and/or ethnicity. Transactional pathways account for the fact that not only do different groups receive different amounts of valuable resources because of uneven distribution, but they have variable access to the symbolic power required to define which resources are deemed valuable in the first place and to monopolize them accordingly. The article briefly surveys foundational concepts from the economic anthropology literature before detailing transactional pathways. It introduces the case of attempted formalization of waste collection and recycling in Delhi, India, using the related concepts of thresholds and conversions to analyze key moments when wealth and status accumulation becomes especially possible in institutionally plural contexts.

The Urban Dimensions of Mountain Society in Late-First Millennium bc Italy: Monte Vairano in Samnium

The mountain communities of late-first millennium bc Italy have been regarded as non-urban societies that reverted to city life mainly owing to Roman intervention. A growing body of archaeological evidence is uncovering the diversity of settlement forms and dynamics in the region's pre-Roman past, which included sites encompassing a range of functions and social agents. This article presents an in-depth, microscale analysis of one such site, Monte Vairano in Samnium, drawing on perspectives from comparative urbanism. Monte Vairano developed urban characteristics such as a complex socioeconomic profile and political cohesion, as well as potentially more unique features such as an apparently balanced distribution of wealth. These results can shed further light on the diversity of ancient urbanization and its sociopolitical implications in late-first millennium bc Italy and the Mediterranean.

On the Analysis of Wealth Distribution in the Context of Infectious Diseases.

A mathematical model is established to investigate the economic effects of infectious diseases. The distribution of wealth among two types of agents in the context of the epidemic is discussed. Using the method of statistical mechanics, the evolution of the entropy weak solutions for the model of the susceptible and the infectious involving wealth density functions is analyzed. We assume that as time tends to infinity, the wealth density function of the infectious is linearly related to the wealth density function of the susceptible individuals. Our results indicate that the spreading of disease significantly affects the wealth distribution. When time tends to infinity, the total wealth density function behaves as an inverse gamma distribution. Utilizing numerical experiments, the distribution of wealth under the epidemic phenomenon and the situation of wealth inequality among agents are discussed.

Wealth polarization in western countries

This paper delves into the dynamics of wealth distribution across various countries, utilizing innovative methodologies to uncover patterns of wealth polarization and its determinants. Wealth, distinct from income, reflects long-term economic resources and serves as a crucial indicator of economic well-being. Employing the "relative distribution" method and Recentered Influence Function (RIF) regression, this study examines changes in wealth distribution and the factors driving wealth polarization across eight European countries, Australia, and the United States.The analysis reveals significant heterogeneity in wealth distribution trends among countries, with disparities observed over time. Wealth polarization, akin to income polarization, emerges as a phenomenon distinct from traditional measures of inequality, shedding light on the concentration of wealth within societies. Household composition, demographic factors, and socioeconomic characteristics significantly influence wealth polarization, echoing patterns observed in income polarization studies.The findings underscore the multifaceted nature of wealth distribution dynamics and highlight the need for comprehensive policy interventions to address wealth inequality and polarization. Policy measures such as progressive taxation, regulatory reforms, and asset-building programs for marginalized communities are crucial in fostering equitable wealth distribution and creating inclusive societies.

Colonial legacies and wealth inequality in Kenya

This article discusses the evolution of Kenya's wealth distribution from the late 1950s to the present. Utilizing previously untapped probate and administration sources, it measures the share of Kenyans leaving estates at death, and maps how this wealth-owning strata has changed over time. It shows a growth in African estates after independence, and by the 1980s roughly 8 % of Kenyans left estates at death, largely a consequence of land titling and land reform. Meanwhile, European estates dwindled as settlers divested. Since the 1990s, Nairobi-based estate-holders are growing in share, reflecting the importance of urban property to the portfolios of the wealthy. Measures of top wealth shares suggest high wealth inequality in both the late colonial period and the present, but today's wealth inequality is driven by the uneven distribution of housing wealth, more so than by agricultural land. These findings illustrate how a variety of colonial legacies influenced wealth accumulation in postcolonial Kenya.

International social work as a human rights profession in the global society: Challenges and implications of the Sustainable Development Goals

This article discusses the importance of international social work in a global society. In an increasingly globalised world, we are interconnected in many ways and interdependent in a complex geopolitical (dis)order. This also applies to those involved in social work as a human rights profession. For a long time, the idea was that social workers had to act solely on a national level and that looking beyond one's own country could be refreshing but was unnecessary. However, we know how important international relationships, networks, and scientific exchanges are today. Geopolitical decisions often affect social work and its target groups at their core. Existential poverty and unemployment in countries of the Global South led to flight and migration to countries of the Global North. Crises such as wars or natural disasters have a wide range of effects on global value chains. The unequal distribution of poverty and wealth leads to asymmetrical power relations, which are not least the legacy of colonial and apartheid influence. This makes the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations even more important. If, for example, the first goal in SDG 1 is formulated as "No poverty", then this poses numerous challenges for social work stakeholders in municipalities, states, and nations, to which they must find an answer. These challenge social work on several levels. The following article aims to discuss these challenges at macro-, meso- and micro levels and formulate mandates for action for international social work stakeholders. The aim is to contribute to forming a professional understanding that is defined beyond national structures and mandates.

Digital Transformation in Financial Services and FinTech: Trends, Innovations and Emerging Technologies

Purpose: This research investigates the transformative impact of digital innovations within the financial services sector, particularly focusing on the evolution of digital banking and FinTech. The study aims to explore how digital banking products are being developed to enhance financial literacy and promote financial inclusion across diverse populations. Methodology: The research employs a comprehensive analysis of current trends and technologies, utilizing case studies and data-driven insights to assess the role of blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning in reshaping banking and financial services. The study examines the implications of these technologies on small business loans and wealth distribution. Findings: The findings reveal significant advancements in digital banking products, highlighting the increased accessibility and efficiency provided by these innovations. Emerging technologies have facilitated improved financial literacy and inclusion, particularly by enabling more accurate credit assessments and democratizing access to financial resources. The study underscores the pivotal role of AI in enhancing customer service through personalized experiences and predictive analytics. Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy, and Practice: This research makes a substantial contribution to academic theory by expanding the understanding of digital transformation in financial services. It provides critical insights for policymakers, emphasizing the importance of integrating technological advancements to foster financial inclusion and economic growth. Practically, the study offers strategic guidance for financial institutions seeking to implement innovative solutions, thereby improving service delivery and competitiveness in the evolving financial landscape. The research underscores the necessity for ongoing adaptation and investment in emerging technologies to meet the dynamic needs of consumers and businesses.

Legal Challenges through the Theory of Harmony of Labor and Capital Interests

This article explores the relationship between labor and capital interests through the lens of Frederick Winslow Taylor’s scientific management theory and Georgian legal frameworks. It examines how harmonizing these interests can address organizational conflicts and enhance labor efficiency and capital growth. The concept of “interest” plays a critical role in this analysis. In a broader sense, interest reflects an individual’s motivation and engagement with various subjects, shaped by their legal, social and economic context. Interest pertains to production relationships and the distribution of resources, influencing how labor and capital interact within a corporate setting. Optimizing work processes can align employee and employer goals, fostering a more equitable distribution of wealth. The analysis highlights the role of interest in legal contexts and the importance of compliance in managing conflicts. Organizations can improve governance and achieve a balanced, productive work environment by integrating scientific management with fiduciary duties and ethical practices.

Educating Inheritors. Economic Socialization in Swiss International Boarding Schools

In the context of the increased concentration of wealth at the top of the social spectrum, the article studies the role of economic inheritance in the education of elites. The article relies on a study at several international boarding schools based in Switzerland to explore wealth-related school policies (notably through pocket money and philanthropy), economic socialization, and their impact on students’ self-identifications as a privileged elite.

Waqf Management in Pesantren: A Case Study of Lembaga Wakaf Daarut Tauhiid

Waqf, as an instrument for wealth distribution in Islam, must have an impact on people's well-being. However, in actuality, waqf collection and management in Indonesia is substandard. As a result, as a nazir, the Lembaga Wakaf Daarut Tauhiid Institution must be able to collect and administer waqf assets properly. The purpose of this research is to analyze the waqf institutions' strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and dangers, as well as to develop strategies for collecting and managing waqf assets in the Wakaf Daarut Tauhiid Institution. In this study, the Analytic Network Process (ANP) with a SWOT structure system was applied. The most influential feature of strenth was discovered to be the presence of figure. The most serious shortcoming is a lack of education and outreach to prospective waqf. The most crucial feature of the possibility is the high potential of waqf. The most potent part of threat is waqf faith in waqf organizations. The approach for effective waqf asset management prioritizes the promotion of waqf initiatives using social media. The created plan is designed to serve as a guide for stakeholders in creating future policies.

The Belle-Epoque of Portfolios? How Returns, Risk, and Diversification Correlated with the Wealth Distribution in Paris in 1912

I reconstruct the historical performance of individual portfolios owned by Parisian investors during the French Belle-Epoque, which was characterized by a massive concentration of wealth. Using the value of inherited bequests as a proxy for ex ante wealth, I show that wealthier investors not only exhibited greater betas and thus benefited from the bull market, but also captured positive alphas, which translated into greater Sharpe ratios. Their performance was enhanced by diversification tilted toward equity and foreign assets. I identify heterogeneity in returns as a significant driver of the rise of wealth inequalities during the Belle-Epoque.