Como medir desigualdade: revisão de metodologias de cálculo da desigualdade econômica

Abstract

This research presents a literature review on the main methodologies for calculating economic inequality. Income distribution level depends on methodological choices made by the researchers involved. Furthermore, economic inequality measures present and express moral values, and not just mathematical procedures. The debate about inequality has always been present in both economics and sociology, with several narrative disputes about its form of manifestation in capitalism, as well as its level and expressiveness. In this sense, it is understood that, depending on the method of measurement, different conclusions about the path of economic inequality are possible: it increased, reduced or remained stable. This research, therefore, seeks to elucidate such dynamics by pointing out the main measures of economic inequality, highlighting that methodological choices are crucial during the process. The research also briefly presents the conceptualization of inequality and some considerations about its historical evolution in the capitalism worldwide and in Brazil