Fundamental Determinants of Inequality and the Role of Government

December 1, 1998

Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary

This paper discusses the fundamental determinants of inequality. These are identified as world or market forces, social norms, ownership of real and human capital, and the role of government. The change in the relative role of these factors in determining inequality during economic development is analyzed.

Subject: Expenditure, Human capital, Income distribution, Income inequality, Labor, National accounts, Personal income

Keywords: Africa, capital, country, country's income, developed country, East Asia, government policy, Human capital, Income distribution, income from employment, Income inequality, income redistribution, Inequality, labor income, market forces, Personal income, Positional Rents, Role of Governments, Social Capital, Social Norms, society, South Asia, standard of living, WP

Pages:
24
Volume:
1998
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5089/9781451858921.001
Issue:
178
Series:
Working Paper No. 1998/178
Stock No:
WPIEA1781998
ISBN:
9781451858921
ISSN:
1018-5941

IMF’s Work

RESOURCES

TOPICS

Flagship Publications

Other Publications

IMF reports and publications by country

Regional Offices

All News

See Also

For Journalists

Press Center

RESOURCES

FLAGSHIPS

KEY SERIES

IMF NOTES

Loading component...

IMF Working Papers