The Dynamics of Income Inequality in a Representative Democracy
The Case of the Netherlands
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 5917339 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Peter Van Wijck (0000-0002-7357-9506, Erasmus University, corresponding author), Wil Arts (Erasmus University) |
| Year | 1991 |
| Volume | 3 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 317-342 |
| Publication date | 1991-07-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Rationality and Society (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1043-4631 • E-ISSN: 1461-7358 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1177/1043463191003003005 |
| OpenAlex | W2126932274 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 2 |
| References cited | 26 |
This article investigates the causes of income inequality in a representative democracy. The starting point of the analysis is Lenski's orienting statement that these dynamics can be explained by referring to political behavior that first became possible as a consequence of the institutionalization of democratic ideology. Two competing explanations are considered. The first originates from Lenski's technological-evolutionary theory of human societies, while the second is based on Downs's economic theory of democracy. Using time-series data pertaining to the case of the Netherlands, predictions derived from these theories are empirically tested. The Downsian explanation appears to be theoretically as well as empirically preferable to the Lenskian one
Democracy · Economic inequality · Economics · Ideology · Inequality · Neoclassical economics · Political science · Politics · Positive economics · Sociology · Economic Theory and Institutions · Law · Mathematics · Political Economy and Marxism · Social Policy and Reform Studies
Criticism and the Growth of Knowledge
The Income Distribution as a Pure Public Good
Director's Law of Public Income Redistribution
An economic theory of democracy
Redistribution policy and the expansion of the public sector
Redistribution through Public Choice
Economic Growth and Income Inequality
International Differences in the Distribution of Income
Tests of a rational theory of the size of government
A Rational Theory of the Size of Government
The Effects of Democracy and Socialist Strength on the Size Distribution of Income
Income Distribution
The Effect of Political Democracy and Social Democracy on Equality in Industrial Societies
Socialist Parties and Income Inequality in Western Industrial Societies
Income Redistribution
Inequality
Political Democracy and Social Equality
Quantitative Aspects of the Economic Growth of Nations
Political Democracy and the Size Distribution of Income
Democracy and Social Inequality
Democracy, Economic Development, and Income Inequality
Long-Run Changes in British Income Inequality
Income Inequality in Sweden and the United Kingdom
Share and share alike? Social constraints on income equalization
| Citations per year | 0.07 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 1998 - 1999 (2) |
| Highly cited | No |