Governance in mitigating the effect of oil wealth on wealth inequality: a cross-country analysis of policy thresholds

Njangang, Henri and Asongu, Simplice and Tadadjeu, Sosson and Nounamo, Yann and Kamguia, Brice (2021): Governance in mitigating the effect of oil wealth on wealth inequality: a cross-country analysis of policy thresholds.

Abstract

The study assesses the role of governance in modulating the effect of oil wealth on wealth inequality in 45 countries in the world. The empirical evidence is based on Pooled Ordinary Least Squares and the Generalised Method of Moments. The findings show that oil rents unconditionally increase wealth inequality while govenance dyanmics (in terms of rule of law, corruption-control, government effectiveness, regulatory quality) moderate oil rents for an overall net negative effect on wealth inequality. Good governance thresholds at which the unconditional effect of oil rents on the wealth inequality changes from positive to negative are computed and discussed. It follows that while governance is a necessary condition for improving the redistributive effects of oil wealth, it becomes a sufficient condition for net positive improvements in wealth distribution only when some critical levels of good governance have been reached. Other policy implications are discussed.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Governance; Oil wealth; Wealth inequality, Panel data
• Subjects: F - International Economics > F2 - International Factor Movements and International Business > F21 - International Investment ; Long-Term Capital Movements; F - International Economics > F5 - International Relations, National Security, and International Political Economy > F54 - Colonialism ; Imperialism ; Postcolonialism; L - Industrial Organization > L7 - Industry Studies: Primary Products and Construction > L71 - Mining, Extraction, and Refining: Hydrocarbon Fuels

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