Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/243402 
Year of Publication: 
2021
Series/Report no.: 
WIDER Working Paper No. 2021/76
Publisher: 
The United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER), Helsinki
Abstract: 
Using illustrations from research on inequality, this paper offers evidence on the strengths of 'behavioural synthesis', i.e. the reconciliation between neoclassical and behavioural economics. We compare how theoretical models of absolute and relative inequality have evolved from assumptions of income maximization to status-seeking competition, and to altruism. We emphasize the relevance of experiments in testing competing theories and mitigating empirical shortcomings. We conclude that methodological pluralism, i.e. scientific integration, is necessary when it comes to understanding inequality and propose strategies on how it can be done.
Subjects: 
inequality
behavioural economics
scientific integration
pluralism
JEL: 
C90
B41
D30
D91
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
ISBN: 
978-92-9267-014-6
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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