Distribution Of Wealth Research Articles

Intergenerational transfers, differential fertility, and wealth inequality

Abstract Rising income and wealth inequality across the developed world has prompted a renewed focus on the mechanisms driving inequality. This paper contributes to the existing literature by studying the impact from life-cycle savings, intergenerational transfers, and fertility differences between the rich and the poor on the wealth distribution. We find that bequests increase the level of wealth inequality and that fertility differences between the rich and the poor amplify this relationship. The counterfactual exercises show that the interaction between bequests and differential fertility is quantitatively important for understanding wealth inequality in the United States.

Capacity mapping of comprehensive sexuality education in Gabon: A qualitative analysis

Abstract Background Access to comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) is crucial for adolescent health and well-being. Following UNESCO’s recommendations, Gabon revised its sex education policy in 2017 to better address adolescents’ sexual health needs. This study aims to map the capacities of the public health and education sector to implement Gabon’s CSE policy. Methods Semi-structured interviews were held with 15 professionals from ministries, NGOs, and development partners. Thematic analysis guided by Aluttis et al’s public health capacity model allowed to assess the existing capacities and gaps in leadership, organizational structures, partnerships, resources, and knowledge development for CSE. Results The implementation of CSE in Gabon is hindered by sociocultural and political factors, including the taboo on adolescent sexuality influencing perceptions of CSE content, natalist policies, and socio-economic disparities. Governmental involvement in CSE is limited to key ministries. Organizational structures for CSE lack cohesion due to changes in governance regimes and a lack of support for civil society organizations. Human resources are unevenly distributed, and financial constraints impede government initiatives, causing a strong reliance on external funding. An important role in supporting CSE is played by development partners and partnerships between stakeholders. While knowledge development for CSE is underway, monitoring and evaluation procedures are insufficient, and evidence mobilization by key professionals is insufficient. Conclusions Enhancing stakeholder collaboration, addressing structural constraints, and mobilizing human and financial resources are critical for effective CSE implementation in Gabon. Addressing these barriers requires coordinated efforts among stakeholders and addressing systemic challenges. This study provides insights for policymakers and practitioners to strengthen CSE programs and promote adolescent sexual health in Gabon. Key messages • CSE implementation is hindered by taboos on adolescent sexuality, natalist policies, and socio-economic gaps. • Evaluation and evidence mobilization deficits limit effectiveness.

A process evaluation of a LifeLab Dublin; an interactive health literacy intervention

Abstract The argument for targeting adolescent health has been made strongly, with poor lifestyle behaviours often emerging during this life stage. Furthermore, there is consistent evidence of a widening socioeconomic gap in health indicators. Developing health literacy (HL) in youth populations to improve lifelong health behaviours has garnered increased interest in recent years. This process evaluation examines the acceptability, fidelity and dose delivered of the pilot of LifeLab Dublin: a nine-week, school-based HL intervention for low socioeconomic adolescents. The intervention, which comprised of two out-of-school, interactive HL experiences in conjunction with seven school-based lessons, took place between September and December in 2021 and involved students aged 11 - 13. The health issues targeted were previously identified by the teachers and students of the target population, and the learning activities within the out-of-school experiences were co-designed by adolescents of a similar demographic. Overall, the intervention was perceived positively by the students and teachers, particularly the two interactive out-of-school experiences. The teachers, however, highlighted issues with the volume and content of the school-based lessons, resulting in a reduced number of lessons being delivered. The fidelity of the two LifeLab experiences was high, demonstrating that the students engaged well with the learning activities and that the experience aligned with LifeLab’s core principles and underpinning theoretical constructs. The findings from this study highlight the value in implementing experiential style learning in school-based HL education and the benefit of involving participants in the design of intervention. The evaluation provided valuable insight into the refinements required to enhance the efficacy of the intervention, as well as providing an evidence-base to inform future school-based HL interventions for low socioeconomic adolescents. Key messages • The benefit of adopting experiential style health literacy education with young people. • The benefit of including young people in the design of a health literacy intervention.

Leveling Up: An Academic Acceleration Policy to Increase Equity in Advanced High School Course Taking

Taking advanced courses in high school predicts many positive outcomes, yet low-income students and students who identify as Black and Hispanic are underrepresented. Policies such as “algebra for all” that accelerate middle school students into advanced courses are well-studied, but little is known about newer academic acceleration policies that target older students. Between 2014–2015 and 2016–2017, 72 districts in Washington implemented Academic Acceleration policies, which identified proficient 11th- and 12th-grade students for automatic acceleration into AP, IB, and other dual credit courses. We used difference-in-differences models to examine changes in advanced course enrollments, GPAs, and high school graduation between districts that began implementing the policy at different times. We found advanced course enrollment increased and became more equitable postpolicy.

“Vacunas”: Permanence of Crime in The New Dynamics of Violence and Post-Agreement in Colombia

Objective: This study aims to explore the criminal dynamics and socioeconomic implications of extortion, specifically the "vacuna" (protection payment) phenomenon, in Colombia. It seeks to understand how this practice contributes to the persistence of crime and violence, and how victims manage and cope with this form of violence. Theoretical Frmework: The literature review is based on the theory of psychological coercion, where the threat and intimidation through force are used as a means of social control, as well as the economics of crime, which proposes that criminality is a rational act aimed at maximizing benefits for offenders. Finally, the theory of the state and security explains how the absence of the state in Colombia allows criminal groups to assume roles of "protection." Method: A qualitative approach was adopted, using semi-structured and unstructured interviews with merchants and business owners in the Department of Santander, Colombia. The study focuses on a narrative approach, allowing victims to express their experiences with extortion. This method aims to capture the diversity of perspectives and coping practices in response to the crime. Results and Discussion: The results reveal that extortion persists as a common practice due to weak state presence and the transformation of criminal actors. It was observed that victims, both individually and collectively, develop diverse strategies to confront extortion. The study also identifies the perpetrators, although in many cases, victims are unable or unwilling to directly point out their aggressors due to fear of reprisals. Research Implications: The findings suggest the need to rethink public policies focused on security and wealth distribution in Colombia. Strengthening state presence in regions most affected by violence and improving protection mechanisms for extortion victims is crucial. Originality/Value: This study provides a detailed and contextualized analysis of a criminal practice that has been underrepresented in academic literature. By focusing on the voices and experiences of the victims, it offers new insights into the dynamics of power and violence in Colombia, highlighting the importance of addressing structural inequalities to mitigate crime and violence.

The Interplay of Digital Technologies and Gender in Imtiaz’s Karachi, you are Killing me: A Cyberfeminist Analysis

This article examines the complex dynamics of women’s relationships with technology in modern urban difficulties, focusing on Saba Imtiaz’s Karachi, You’re Killing Me!. Keeping in view how Sadie Plant’s cyberfeminist theory informs about the revolutionary possibilities of the digital world, the study examines the challenges and opportunities that influence women’s use of technology as they navigate the complexity of a diverse yet dangerous metropolis, Karachi. This article argues that analysing women’s interactions with technology inside the novel, delivers a larger implication of women-tech interaction for promoting gender equality in metropolitan area of Karachi where socioeconomic gaps are prevalent. It is important to examine how gender nequities in the digital world, access concerns, and societal norms interact with the novel’s nique depiction of technology as a tool that amidst these challenges empowers women. Finally, this study adds to the growing body of knowledge on women’s agency in the digital era by highlighting the importance of the particular urban setting for conversations about technology, gender and empowerment.

The price of inequality: How state tax policies widen the wealth gap

State taxation has become particularly regressive in recent decades. Across the country, states have increasingly begun to rely on sales and consumption taxes to fund significant portions of their expenditures. Given that these taxes disproportionately hurt lower classes that spend a larger portion of their income on consumable goods and services, these trends widen wealth gaps. By replacing and reducing progressive income taxes with these regressive forms of taxation, levels of inequality have risen. This paper examines the impact of such state and local taxes on the levels of income inequality within each state. Through empirical analysis, it identifies a substantial and positive correlation between the regressivity of state tax codes, as measured by the relative tax burdens on different income brackets, and the levels of inequality, as quantified by the income share of the top 1%. In this study, I examine the relationship between state tax policies and income inequality in the United States. By analyzing the tax structures of different states, I identify a significant correlation between regressive taxes, that disproportionately burden the less wealthy, and increased income inequality. Using quantitative data from 2013 to 2019, I show that states that rely more on taxes that burden working class families, like sales and excise taxes, witness larger portions of wealth concentration within the top 1%. These findings suggest that tax policy at the state level significantly shapes wealth distribution and highlight the need for reforms to reduce inequality at the state level.

Do higher public and private debt levels benefit the wealthy? An empirical analysis of top wealth shares in the UK

Purpose Despite the concomitant rise in recent decades in both debt levels (public as well as private) and wealth inequality, empirical evidence on the relationship is absent in existing literature. This is striking especially since recent theoretical contributions point to a link between debt and wealth inequality. We contribute to the debate by investigating empirically whether higher levels of UK public and household debt increase the UK wealth concentration at the top 1 and 10% of the wealth distribution.Design/methodology/approach We employ the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) cointegration approach with UK time series data from 1970 to 2019. For robustness, a further analysis using panel data fixed effects estimation on a cross-country sample that also includes France and the USA is undertaken. We also use bootstrapping to conservatively estimate statistical significance.Findings Higher levels of public and household debt are found to increase wealth concentration at the top 1 and 10%. The effect is stronger for household debt. Fixed effects estimation on a cross-country dataset supports the results for the UK.Originality/valueThis study is the first to investigate empirically whether rising levels of UK public and household debt benefit the wealthy and thus widen the gap between the “haves” and “have-nots”.

How Insured Are Workers Against Unemployment? Unemployment Insurance and the Distribution of Liquid Wealth

In this Economic Commentary, we analyze the relationship between unemployment insurance (UI) recipiency and insurance by examining the wealth distribution of workers who have been through an unemployment spell. We focus on the net liquid wealth gap between recipients and nonrecipients of UI along the income distribution of the unemployed. Using recent data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation at the individual level, we estimate that UI recipients at the bottom half of the income distribution tend to have higher median net liquid wealth than nonrecipients, putting nonrecipients in a potentially vulnerable economic position during periods of unemployment. Replication codes for this paper are available at https://github.com/avdluduvice/LuduviceTruss-Williams_UI.

Shifting from top-down to bottom-up nationalism: an analysis of YouTube speeches from the 2016/17 candlelight revolution in South Korea

ABSTRACT While the ‘top-down’ variant of nationalism is engendered by elites and emphasizes loyalty to the state and ethnic solidarity, little is known about the ‘bottom-up’ variant, which focuses on people’s interest in the state’s and political leaders’ care for the masses. South Korea’s ‘Candlelight Revolution’ of 2016/17 ignited a national protest against the abuse of power by then-President Park Geun-Hye, the unfair distribution of wealth, and changes to Korean culture. This article explores grassroots’ expressions of bottom-up nationalism by analysing YouTube speeches from the Candlelight rallies. Protesters criticized the corruption and abuse of power by Korean leaders, which were seen to perpetuate the structure of injustice for decades. Some aspects of the Korean cultural contexts were politicized by national leaders, such as conservative leaders labelling their critics ‘commies’. By contesting the structure and culture of Korean society, protesters transformed themselves into social actors at the personal level and then called for long-term rather than temporary remedies at the societal level. By espousing ‘calculated nationalism’, protesters illustrated their interest in what they can get from the Korean nation-state, rather than what they can do to the state.

School exclusion policies across the UK: convergence and divergence

ABSTRACT Previous comparative research has revealed recent high and rising school exclusion rates in England and a contrasting picture of much lower and reducing rates in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. In this paper, we examine findings from new research into school exclusion policies across the four countries of the UK. This interrogates for the first time how the problem of ‘school exclusion’ is framed within these four distinct policy contexts. We take up the question of how policy levers and drivers may shape patterns and trends in permanent exclusion and suspension/temporary exclusion. This analysis reveals that, despite broad agreement in policy on a need to reduce exclusion and increase equity across the UK jurisdictions, there are diverging policy stances on the purposes of exclusion, responsibilities of schools and the role of the state overall in bringing about change. We conclude that deeper critical engagement with policy contexts is a vital element in understanding the persistence of school exclusion itself but also the differential rates of exclusion across the UK.

Does increasing robot density exacerbate wealth inequality?

This article expands the economic consequences of applying automation technology beyond the labor market to encompass wealth distribution. It empirically investigates the effects of changes in robot density on household wealth inequality and potential mechanisms. By using three-digit industry codes provided by the China Census 1 % sampling data in 2015, this paper achieves a more accurate matching of industrial robot data with individual data and employs instrumental variables to alleviate potential endogeneity bias. This paper finds that increasing robot density exacerbates the inequality of family wealth, and this effect has a particularly significant impact on young labor force and workers with low education. Its impact mechanism may come from the inequality of employment difficulty and the increase of the non-transferability of human capital. This study is of great importance to deeper understand the economic consequences of the accelerated use of automation technology and accurately formulate public policies to narrow the wealth gap.

The Dynamics of Disparity: A Comprehensive Analysis of the Causes and Consequences of Income and Wealth Inequality and Policy Interventions for Mitigation

In today's global economy, economic disparities remain a pressing issue, persisting across different societies. This paper explores the causes, impacts, and potential policy interventions to address income and wealth inequality. The analysis draws on insights from prominent economists such as Darren Acemoglu, James A. Robinson, Joseph E. Stiglitz, Branko Milanovic, Thomas Piketty, and Emanuel Saez. According to the study, globalization, automation, and labor market dynamics are key economic factors driving inequality. In addition, political and social factors, including tax policies, governance models, and access to education and healthcare, significantly impact economic distribution. The consequences of inequality are multifaceted, affecting economic growth, social mobility, social health, and political stability. Furthermore, this paper discusses various policy interventions, such as progressive taxation, improved access to quality education and healthcare, and more robust social safety nets, as potential solutions to mitigate the adverse effects of economic disparities and promote a more equitable distribution of wealth.

On the creation of state-owned companies in the field of food retail: the experience of Russia and foreign countries

With regard to the discussions circulating among practitioners, retailers and the scientific community on the idea of launching a new state-owned retail chain in Russia, the article analyzes approaches to the legal framework of state-owned retail chains in Brazil, North Korea and China, which adhere to diametrically opposite arguments regarding their activities, which, of course, is useful for the Russian scientific and practical community to know. The author comes to the conclusion that the idea of state-owned retail chains is discredited as having tendencies towards bureaucratization, corruption, the formation of an incorrect distribution of national wealth, poor organization of their activities, rooted not in the phenomenon itself, but in the minds of the people who lead them into life, many of whom are greedy and always look for and often find loopholes in the laws. Thus, further development of existing digital mechanisms in the form of assessment systems based on econometric approaches as Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) will solve this problem.

Evolution of the Minangkabau Inheritance System and its Relevance to Gender Justice in Islamic Law

The inheritance system in Minangkabau, known for its matrilineal lineage, offers a unique perspective on property distribution, especially when contrasted with the patrilineal structure of Islamic inheritance law. This research delves into the historical and cultural evolution of the Minangkabau inheritance system, examining how it has adapted over time due to various social, legal, and religious influences. While Minangkabau customary law (adat) traditionally prioritizes female heirs, particularly through maternal lines, Islamic inheritance law advocates a more balanced approach, emphasizing the rights of both male and female heirs based on predetermined shares. The contrast between these two systems raises important questions about gender justice and the equitable distribution of wealth. Through a detailed exploration of Minangkabau customs and Islamic jurisprudence, this study investigates how these systems have coexisted and the efforts made by scholars and legal authorities to reconcile the differences. A significant focus is placed on the role of reformist thinkers within the Minangkabau community, who have sought to align local practices with the broader principles of Islamic inheritance law while preserving cultural identity. The research also examines the practical implications of these reform efforts, particularly in light of the evolving role of women in Minangkabau society and the growing calls for gender equality. The findings offer valuable insights into the potential for developing an inheritance model that respects both cultural traditions and Islamic values of justice, ultimately contributing to a broader discourse on gender equity in inheritance laws across diverse Muslim societies.

Implementation of Zakat Distribution by BAZNAS of Jambi City

Zakat, a pillar of Islam, serves as a crucial wealth distribution mechanism aimed at reducing socio-economic inequalities. With Indonesia's vast Muslim population, the potential of zakat is significant, yet its impact relies heavily on effective management and distribution. This study explores the implementation of zakat distribution by BAZNAS of Jambi City, focusing on its processes, effectiveness, challenges, and proposed solutions. This research utilizes a qualitative case study approach, involving BAZNAS administrators, field officers, and zakat recipients (mustahik) to gain insights into the zakat distribution in Jambi City. The findings reveal that BAZNAS Jambi City has developed a structured zakat distribution system, encompassing mustahik data collection, verification, and fund allocation. The BAZNAS Jambi City categorizes zakat distribution into consumptive, productive, and special programs, each with specific targets. However, challenges such as limited human resources, budget constraints, and a lack of continuous assistance in productive zakat programs were identified, impacting the long-term benefits for mustahik. Despite these challenges, BAZNAS Jambi City has made efforts to improve the distribution process, including the creation of Zakat Collection Units and seeking the issuance of local regulations to ensure consistent zakat collection. The study concludes that while BAZNAS Jambi City's zakat distribution has made strides in improving community welfare, there is a need for enhanced mentoring and innovation to maximize the impact of productive zakat programs. The research provides valuable recommendations for BAZNAS and other regions to refine their zakat distribution strategies, ultimately contributing to poverty alleviation and economic empowerment.

How Attitude, Social Norms, and Perceive Behavioral Control Impact Entrepreneurial Intention with Additional Characteristics of Migration Background from Central/East Java

Indonesia currently possesses the third fastest growing economy among the G20 economies, but it has shown recent problems with Wealth Distribution issues based on its GINI number, which has been growing during the presidency of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Indonesia's status has also been stuck in a lower middle-income country for 13 years, based on data from 2018 (Lumbangaol & Pasaribu, 2018). Much of the wealth is located in big cities such as Jakarta. But every year, we do see the phenomena of wealth distribution that happen during Idul Fitr / EID Mubarak / EID Al Fitr. The year 2023 marked the largest number of mudik ever, with the number predicted to be 123.8 million people moving to their family origin location (kominfo, 2023). This is almost half of the population of Indonesia (45.8%). This study intends to study the migration background/migration trait and use it as a comparison characteristic in the Theory of Planned Behaviour with the Independent Variable of Attitude, Social Norms, and Perceived Behavioural Control and the dependent variable of Entrepreneur Intention. Data was gathered using questionnaires from previous research and then processed by SPSS and SEMPLS to quantitatively test the hypotheses. 144 respondents from the JABODETABEK area participated in the research. The hypotheses tested are that Migration Trait has a moderating effect on Entrepreneur Intention. The study result did not show the effect of migration traits on moderating the effect of attitude, social norms, and perceived behavioural control on entrepreneurial intention. The result can become a base for further study in this area.

Consumption tax cuts vs stimulus payments

Recent work shows that in macroeconomic models with non-Ricardian consumer behavior, uniform transfers are equivalent to interest rate cuts. That is, policymakers can use stimulus payments to substitute for conventional monetary policy when, say, the zero lower bound on short-term rates binds. We argue that in the same class of models, temporarily reducing consumption taxes delivers more stimulus than transfers — at the same cost to the taxpayer. Consumption tax cuts activate both income and substitution channels and prompt a strong response from all consumers across the wealth distribution. Simulating these policies in a quantitative heterogeneous agent New Keynesian model, we find output expands twice as much.

Do kindergartens mitigate or exacerbate socioeconomic inequalities in language exposure? The case of home-based and kindergarten-based shared book reading activities in China

Shared book reading is a well-established practice for boosting children’s language exposure and enhancing early development at home and in child care settings. The present study examined the socioeconomic gaps in home-based and kindergarten-based shared book reading practices in China. The participants were 1095 parents and 111 teachers in 69 classes from kindergartens in Chongqing, China. Differences in terms of the quantity of both home-based and kindergarten-based shared book reading across SES spectrums were tested. Multi-level modelling was conducted to examine the factors associated with the quantity of home-based and kindergarten-based shared book reading. The results revealed that the socioeconomic gap in home-based shared book reading and the resultant language exposure were significant. Family SES and home literacy resources were associated with the quantity of home-based shared book reading and the availability of literacy resources in the classroom is associated with the quantity of kindergarten-based shared book reading. Kindergartens did not mitigate the socioeconomic inequities of language exposure related to shared book reading. Intervention programs shall focus on improving access to both home-based and kindergarten-based literacy materials.

Socio-economic gradients in pupils’ self-efficacy: evidence, evolution and main drivers during the primary school years in France

Socio-emotional skills, vital for navigating life’s challenges, significantly influence educational success and well-being. Thus, socio-economic disparities in these skills may contribute to broader inequalities in achievement. Despite their importance, research in certain contexts, like France, remains limited. Self-efficacy, a cornerstone of socio-emotional well-being, develops early and it is influenced by familial and contextual factors. The primary school years are central for self-efficacy development. During this period, socio-economic gaps in self-efficacy may emerge, influenced by family environments and experiences at school. Using data from the 2011 Panel of Pupils we find that French pupils have similar academic self-efficacy whatever their socio-economic background at the start of primary school. However, at the end of primary school, children coming from more disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds exhibit lower academic self-efficacy as compared to more advantaged peers, and this socio-economic gap is particularly strong among girls. The findings of this work underscore the need for educational policies to focus on socio-emotional skills development alongside cognitive skills from an early age to reduce socio-economic inequalities.