Economic Inequality in India and the World

Abstract

As noted in the previous chapter, the only sorts of inequality measures that are overwhelmingly considered in the measurement literature are the so-called relative measures. However, relative measures are no less arbitrary than ‘absolute’ measures, and ‘centrist’ or ‘intermediate’ measures which strike a compromise between the ‘extreme’ ethical values underlying relative and absolute measures commend themselves to consideration. We find that such intermediate measures present an empirically striking contrast to the relatively un-alarming trends displayed by the commonly used relative measures—and this is true whether we speak of Indian or global inequality.