Discussion Paper
No. 2011-20 | June 27, 2011
Gordon Anderson
Polarization Measurement and Inference in Many Dimensions When Subgroups Cannot be Identified
(Published in The Measurement of Inequality and Well-Being: New Perspectives)

Abstract

The most popular general univariate polarization indices for discrete (Esteban and Ray 1994), and continuous (Duclos, Esteban and Ray 2004) variables are combined and extended to describe the extent of polarization between agents in a distribution defined over a collection of many discrete and continuous agent characteristics. A formula for the asymptotic variance of the index is also provided. The implementation of the index is illustrated with an application to Chinese urban household data drawn from six provinces in the years 1987 and 2001 (years spanning the growth and urbanization period subsequent to the economic reforms). The data relates to household adult equivalent log income, adult equivalent living space, which are both continuous variables and the education of the head of household which is a discrete variable. For this data set combining the characteristics changes the view of polarization that would be inferred from considering the indices individually.Paper submitted to the special issue The Measurement of Inequality and Well-Being: New Perspectives

Data Set

JEL Classification:

C14, C30, I32

Links

Cite As

[Please cite the corresponding journal article] Gordon Anderson (2011). Polarization Measurement and Inference in Many Dimensions When Subgroups Cannot be Identified. Economics Discussion Papers, No 2011-20, Kiel Institute for the World Economy. http://www.economics-ejournal.org/economics/discussionpapers/2011-20


Comments and Questions



G Y - Polarization Measurement
June 28, 2011 - 08:24 | Author's
The subject of the article is important for empirical research.

Anonymous - Referee Report 1
July 27, 2011 - 09:47
see attached file

Gordon Anderson - Reply to Referee Report 1
August 15, 2011 - 09:30
see attached file

Anonymous - Referee Report 2
August 08, 2011 - 09:05
see attached file

Gordon Anderson - Reply to Referee Report 2
August 15, 2011 - 09:33
see attached file