Equality of Opportunity: Theory and Measurement

2016 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 1288-1332 ◽  
Author(s):  
John E. Roemer ◽  
Alain Trannoy
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Distributive Justice ◽  
Gdp Per Capita ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Inequality Of Opportunity ◽  
Equality Of Opportunities ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Ethical View

During the last third of the twentieth century, political philosophers actively debated about the content of distributive justice; the ruling ethical view of utilitarianism was challenged by various versions of equality of opportunities. Economists formulated several ways of modeling these ideas, focusing upon how individuals are placed with respect to opportunities for achieving various outcomes, and what compensation is due to individuals with truncated opportunities. After presenting a review of the main philosophical ideas (section 2), we turn to economic models (sections 3 and 4). We propose a reformulation of the definition of economic development, replacing the utilitarian measure of GDP per capita with a measure of the degree to which opportunities for income acquisition in a nation have been equalized. Finally, we discuss issues that the econometrician faces in measuring inequality of opportunity, briefly review the empirical literature (section 6), and conclude (section 7). (JEL C43, D63, D70, I24)

scholarly journals ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA AND EUROPE: RECIPROCAL COMPARISONS

2015 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-37
Author(s):  
Stephen Broadberry ◽  
Leigh Gardner
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Human Development ◽  
Human Development Index ◽  
Development Potential ◽  
Development Index ◽  
National Accounting ◽  
Recent Advances ◽  
Alternative Measures ◽  
Per Capita

ABSTRACTRecent advances in historical national accounting have allowed for global comparisons of GDPper capitaacross space and time. Critics have argued that GDPper capitafails to capture adequately the multi-dimensional nature of welfare, and have developed alternative measures such as the human development index. Whilst recognising that these wider indicators provide an appropriate way of assessing levels of welfare, we argue that GDPper capitaremains a more appropriate measure for assessing development potential, focussing on production possibilities and the sustainability of consumption. Twentieth-century Africa and pre-industrial Europe are used to show how such data can guide reciprocal comparisons to provide insights into the process of development on both continents.

scholarly journals Using fuzzy logic for evaluating the level of countries’ (regions’) economic development

2012 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 293-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordan Stojic
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Fuzzy Logic ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Gdp Per Capita ◽  
Industrial Growth ◽  
The Poor ◽  
The World ◽  
Level Of Economic Development ◽  
Per Capita

There are several divisions of countries and regions in the world. Besides geo-political divisions, there also are economic divisions. The most common economic division is the that on developed countries and the poor ones. These divisions are a consequence of the level of: GDP, GDP per capita, unemployment rate, industrial growth, and so on. The question is how to define a mathematical model based on which the following will be assessed: who is rich and who is poor, or who is economically developed and who is not? How the boundaries of transition from one category to another can be defined? This paper presents a model for evaluating the level of economic development of countries and regions using "fuzzy" logic. The model was tested on a sample of 19 EU member countries and aspirants for membership.

scholarly journals Towards a Comprehensive Framework of the Relationships between Resource Footprints, Quality of Life, and Economic Development

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 4734 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Cibulka ◽  
Stefan Giljum
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Social Boundaries ◽  
Gdp Per Capita ◽  
Environmental Implications ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
Comprehensive Framework ◽  
The Relationship

The relationship between economic affluence, quality of life, and environmental implications of production and consumption activities is a recurring issue in sustainability discussions. A number of studies examined selected relationships, but the general implications for future development options to achieve environmentally and socially sustainable development of countries at different levels of per capita resource footprints, quality of life, and income have not yet been investigated in detail. In this study, we use a global dataset with 173 countries to assess the overall relationship between resource footprints, quality of life, and economic development over the period of 1990–2015. We select the material footprint and carbon footprint and contrast them with the Human Development Index, the Happiness Index, and GDP per capita. Regression analyses show that the relationship between various resource footprints and quality of life generally follows a logarithmic path of development, while resource footprints and GDP per capita are linearly connected. From the empirical results, we derive a generalized path of development and cluster countries along this path. Within this comprehensive framework, we discuss options to change the path to respect planetary and social boundaries through a combination of resource efficiency increases, substitution of industries and sufficiency of consumption. We conclude that decoupling and green growth will not realize sustainable development if planetary boundaries have already been transgressed.

scholarly journals China’s Provincial Vehicle Ownership Forecast and Analysis of the Causes Influencing the Trend

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (14) ◽  
pp. 3928 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Ma ◽  
Manhua Wu ◽  
Xiujuan Tian ◽  
Guanheng Zheng ◽  
Qinchuan Du ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Gompertz Model ◽  
Sustainable Transportation ◽  
Gdp Per Capita ◽  
Employment Rate ◽  
Vehicle Ownership ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
Transport Problems ◽  
The Impact

The growth of vehicle ownership not only brings opportunity for the economy, but also brings environment and transport problems, which is not good for sustainable transportation. It is of great significance to build supporting infrastructure and other services based on accurate forecasts of vehicle ownership in various provinces because of the variance of economic development stages, the carrying capacity of resources, and different degrees of transport planning in each province. We used the Gompertz model in order to predict China’s provincial vehicle ownership from 2018 to 2050. Considering the impact of the population structure, we summed up the growth rate of GDP per labor, the growth rate of population and the growth rate of employment rate to get the growth rate of GDP and then the GDP per capita of each province. We found that the vehicle ownership in each province will grow rapidly in the next 30 years; however, the change in the ranking of vehicle ownership among provinces varies. The ranking of some provinces with high or middle ranking now will decline in the following years, especially Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai and Xinjiang. While the ranking of some provinces that locates in the middle and low ranking now will increase, such as Chongqing, Hubei, Anhui, Sichuan, Heilongjiang, Jiangxi, Hunan and Guangxi. We also investigate the reasons that affect the trend in each province and we find that the suitable vehicle growth pattern of each province, the stage of economic development and government policy, which are related to the growth rate of GDP per labor, employment rate, and GDP per capita, can affect vehicle ownership in the future.

Before the Great Divergence? Comparing the Yangzi Delta and the Netherlands at the Beginning of the Nineteenth Century

2012 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 956-989 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bozhong Li ◽  
Jan Luiten van Zanden
Keyword(s):  
Nineteenth Century ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Labor Productivity ◽  
Detailed Comparison ◽  
Gdp Per Capita ◽  
Great Divergence ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
Yangzi Delta

This article tests recent ideas about the long-term economic development of China compared with Europe on the basis of a detailed comparison of structure and level of GDP in part of the Yangzi delta and the Netherlands in the 1820s. We find that Dutch GDP per capita was almost twice as high as in the Yangzi delta. Agricultural productivity there was at about the same level as in the Netherlands (and England), but large productivity gaps existed in industry and services. We attempt to explain this concluding that differences in factor costs are probably behind disparities in labor productivity.

Energy consumption flow and regional economic development: evidence from 25 economies

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bao-jun Tang ◽  
Pi-qin Gong ◽  
Yu-chong Xiao ◽  
Huai-yu Wang
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Regional Economic Development ◽  
Embodied Energy ◽  
Gdp Per Capita ◽  
Regional Economic ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Per Capita

Purpose This paper aims to figure out the relationship between energy consumption flow from a new perspective of embodied energy inventory index (EEII) and regional economic growth. Design/methodology/approach The input-output approach has been applied to calculate embodied energy inventory (EEI) and EEII using the data of 25 economies. Meanwhile, cluster analysis and panel data modeling were applied to carry out detailed research. Findings The results of cluster analysis show that there is a roughly negative relationship between EEII and gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, although there are some exceptions, such as Russia and Taiwan (Province of China). Panel data model results provide further evidence that there is a negative relationship between EEII and GDP per capita. Population is an important productive factor in the regional economic development. The study showed a positive relationship between EEII and population. Therefore, energy consumption flow is closely related to regional economic development. Originality/value The value of this paper is to use EEI and EEII to comprehensively clarify the energy consumption flow. The advantage of EEII is that it can reflect the energy embodied in fixed assets and infrastructure.

The Potential and Obstacles for Waste-to-Energy in Island Settings

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Elena Diaz Barriga ◽  
Nickolas J. Themelis
Keyword(s):  
Energy Source ◽  
Renewable Energy Source ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Waste To Energy ◽  
Gdp Per Capita ◽  
Urban Centers ◽  
The Past ◽  
Sanitary Landfills ◽  
One Step ◽  
Per Capita

Rapid economic development and also population growth of urban centers in developing island nations have resulted in the generation of large amounts of MSW that in the past were dumped at uninhabited areas indiscriminately. Also, islands have very limited space for new, sanitary landfills. This study examines islands where WTE has been implemented successfully (Bermuda, Martinique, St. Barth) and several others (Jamaica, Mauritius, Rhodes) where WTE has been considered and is in various stages of implementation. The study showed that the per capita generation of MSW increases as GDP per capita increases. Also, it is usually recommended that the waste management system be improved one step at a time, that is, to go from dumps to sanitary landfills, to waste to energy; it is interesting to note that the three islands examined in this study went directly from dumps to WTE. This phenomenon can be partly attributed to the scarcity of land for new landfills, but may also be due to the desire to develop a local and renewable energy source.

scholarly journals Impacts from Economic Development and Environmental Factors on Life Expectancy: A Comparative Study Based on Data from Both Developed and Developing Countries from 2004 to 2016

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (16) ◽  
pp. 8559
Author(s):  
Zhiheng Chen ◽  
Yuting Ma ◽  
Junyi Hua ◽  
Yuanhong Wang ◽  
Hongpeng Guo
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Gini Coefficient ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Gdp Per Capita ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
Urbanization Rate

Both economic development level and environmental factors have significant impacts on life expectancy at birth (LE). This paper takes LE as the research object and selects nine economic and environmental indicators with various impacts on LE. Based on a dataset of economic and environmental indicators of 20 countries from 2004 to 2016, our research uses the Pearson Correlation Coefficient to evaluate the correlation coefficients between the indicators, and we use multiple regression models to measure the impact of each indicator on LE. Based on the results from models and calculations, this study conducts a comparative analysis of the influencing mechanisms of different indicators on LE in both developed and developing countries, with conclusions as follow: (1) GDP per capita and the percentage of forest area to land area have a positive impact on LE in developed countries; however, they have a negative impact on LE in developing countries. Total public expenditure on education as a percentage of GDP and fertilizer consumption have a negative impact on LE in developed countries; however, they have a positive impact on LE in developing countries. Gini coefficient and average annual exposure to PM2.5 have no significant effect on LE in developed countries; however, they have a negative impact on LE in developing countries. Current healthcare expenditures per capita have a negative impact on LE in developed countries, and there is no significant impact on LE in developing countries. (2) The urbanization rate has a significant positive impact on LE in both developed countries and developing countries. Carbon dioxide emissions have a negative impact on LE in both developed and developing countries. (3) In developed countries, GDP per capita has the greatest positive impact on LE, while fertilizer consumption has the greatest negative impact on LE. In developing countries, the urbanization rate has the greatest positive impact on LE, while the Gini coefficient has the greatest negative impact on LE. To improve and prolong LE, it is suggested that countries should prioritize increasing GDP per capita and urbanization level. At the same time, countries should also work on reducing the Gini coefficient and formulating appropriate healthcare and education policies. On the other hand, countries should balance between economic development and environmental protection, putting the emphasis more on environmental protection, reducing environmental pollution, and improving the environment’s ability of self-purification.

scholarly journals The influence of demographic factors on the economic development of the Azerbaijan: the interconnection problem

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saleh Nagiyev
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Growth Rate ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
18Th Century ◽  
Demographic Factors ◽  
Gdp Per Capita ◽  
Gdp Growth ◽  
World Population ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
The Impact

Demographic factors have sometimes occupied center-stage in the discussion of the sources of economic growth. In the 18th century, Thomas Malthus made the pessimistic forecast that GDP growth per capita would fall due to a continued rapid increase in world population. There is a straightforward accounting relationship when identifying the sources of economic growth: Growth Rate of GDP = Growth Rate of Population + Growth Rate of GDP per capita, where GDP per capita is simply GDP divided by population. This article examines the interconnection between economic development and the demographic policy of Azerbaijan. The article analyzes various approaches of the impact of demographic factors on the economic development of a country. The following demographic factors have been identified and described as significant for the economic development: fertility dynamics, mortality dynamics, population size and gender and age structure.

scholarly journals ON A QUESTION OF ECONOMIC GROWTH

2018 ◽  
pp. 54-57
Author(s):  
TEIMURAZ BERIDZE
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Foreign Aid ◽  
Real Income ◽  
Living Standards ◽  
Gdp Per Capita ◽  
Educational Standards ◽  
Environmental Standards ◽  
Education Standards ◽  
Investment Level ◽  
Per Capita

Economic development looks at a wider range than GDP per capita. Economic development is concerned with how people are actually affected. It looks at their actual living standards and social conditions. Measures of Economic development will look at: Real income per head – GDP per capita; Levels of literacy and education standards; Levels of healthcare (e.g. number of doctors per 1.000 population); Quality and availability of housing; Levels of environmental standards; Levels of infrastructure (transport, communication); Levels of corruption; Educational standards & labor productivity; Labor mobility; Flow of foreign aid & investment; Level of savings & investment; etc.

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