On the unequal inequality of poor communities

Communities differ in important ways in their needs, capacities, and circumstances. Because central governments are not able to discern these differences fully, they seek to achieve their policy objectives by relying on decentralized mechanisms that use local information. Household and individual ch...

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Autores principales: Elbers, Chris, Lanjouw, Peter, Mistiaen, Johan, Özler, Berk, Simler, Kenneth R.
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: Oxford University Press 2004
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/157669
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author Elbers, Chris
Lanjouw, Peter
Mistiaen, Johan
Özler, Berk
Simler, Kenneth R.
author_browse Elbers, Chris
Lanjouw, Peter
Mistiaen, Johan
Simler, Kenneth R.
Özler, Berk
author_facet Elbers, Chris
Lanjouw, Peter
Mistiaen, Johan
Özler, Berk
Simler, Kenneth R.
author_sort Elbers, Chris
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Communities differ in important ways in their needs, capacities, and circumstances. Because central governments are not able to discern these differences fully, they seek to achieve their policy objectives by relying on decentralized mechanisms that use local information. Household and individual characteristics within communities can also vary substantially. A growing body of theoretical literature suggests that inequality within communities can influence policy outcomes in ways that are either harmful or helpful, depending on the circumstances. Until recently, empirical investigations into the impact of inequality have been held back by a lack of systematic evidence on community-level inequality. This study uses household survey and population census data to estimate per capita consumption inequality within communities in three developing economies. It finds that communities vary markedly in their degree of inequality. It also shows that there should be no presumption that inequality is less severe in poor communities. The kind of community-level inequality estimates generated here can be used in designing and evaluating decentralized antipoverty programs.
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spelling CGSpace1576692025-04-08T18:34:00Z On the unequal inequality of poor communities Elbers, Chris Lanjouw, Peter Mistiaen, Johan Özler, Berk Simler, Kenneth R. equality communities household surveys developing countries poverty population censuses Communities differ in important ways in their needs, capacities, and circumstances. Because central governments are not able to discern these differences fully, they seek to achieve their policy objectives by relying on decentralized mechanisms that use local information. Household and individual characteristics within communities can also vary substantially. A growing body of theoretical literature suggests that inequality within communities can influence policy outcomes in ways that are either harmful or helpful, depending on the circumstances. Until recently, empirical investigations into the impact of inequality have been held back by a lack of systematic evidence on community-level inequality. This study uses household survey and population census data to estimate per capita consumption inequality within communities in three developing economies. It finds that communities vary markedly in their degree of inequality. It also shows that there should be no presumption that inequality is less severe in poor communities. The kind of community-level inequality estimates generated here can be used in designing and evaluating decentralized antipoverty programs. 2004-01-01 2024-10-24T12:51:17Z 2024-10-24T12:51:17Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/157669 en Limited Access Oxford University Press Elbers, Chris; Lanjouw, Peter; Mistiaen, Johan; Özler, Berk; Simler, Kenneth R. 2004. On the unequal inequality of poor communities. World Bank Economic Review 18(3) 401-421. https://doi.org/10.1093/wber/lhh046
spellingShingle equality
communities
household surveys
developing countries
poverty
population censuses
Elbers, Chris
Lanjouw, Peter
Mistiaen, Johan
Özler, Berk
Simler, Kenneth R.
On the unequal inequality of poor communities
title On the unequal inequality of poor communities
title_full On the unequal inequality of poor communities
title_fullStr On the unequal inequality of poor communities
title_full_unstemmed On the unequal inequality of poor communities
title_short On the unequal inequality of poor communities
title_sort on the unequal inequality of poor communities
topic equality
communities
household surveys
developing countries
poverty
population censuses
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/157669
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