Social welfare and the Gini coefficient revisited (Q1059539): Difference between revisions

The question of conflict between the rankings of income distributions with the same mean by the Gini coefficient and by individualistic social welfare functions is re-examined. The negative result of \textit{D. Newbery} [J. Econ. Theory 2, 264-266 (1970)] is extended. However, positive results are obtainable which reverse Newbery's conclusion by admitting into the individual's utility index a measure of his position in the income distribution, or of his deprivation with respect to others' incomes.