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INCOME INEQUALITY AND THE MIDDLE CLASS IN TENNESSEE:CENSUS 1990 & 2000 DATA ANALYSIS
MPA Paper Prepared By:
Mark Kleiner
Master of Public Administration
POLS 590University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
24 April 2003
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Research Problem... 1
Literature Review.. 3
Study Synopsis.. 8
Methodology... 9
Findings.... .11
Commentary.... 13
Appendix A, figures #1 - #8.....16
Bibliography..... 22
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RESEARCH PROBLEM:
The current field of study concerned with the dynamics surrounding the
middle class is one of the most relevant and fascinating research pursuits today.
According to an unofficial definition of the middle class suggested by the US
Department of Commerce, households that fall above and below the top and
bottom 20% of the population are considered part of the middle class (Census,
2003). Since the large majority of Americans find themselves in the middle
60%, on the scale, these studies naturally grow in significance. The ultimate
policy developed as a result of this research will most definitely impact the middle
class of America the hardest, since they comprise the greatest presence on the
quintile scale.
Current work on the middle class, much like other significant studies
surrounding important issues, is fraught with controversy and debate not
necessarily limited to the political arena. The controversy has affected this field
of research by creating misunderstandings centered on the relationship between
methodology and results. To begin, a standard definition has eluded
researchers. It is well known that definitions of variables are typically the
foundation of most studies. The lack of proper identification of a variable yields
findings that cannot be compared across studies, along with varying
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methodologies that are not reliable. Secondly, any policy development stemming
from research will be compromised as to its total effectiveness on a target
demographic if it is based on methodology that has not been generally accepted
by its own academic community.
Unfortunately for the study of the middle class, its own sheer size
mandates a measuring tool that is uniformly accepted by the public and private
sectors. The governments primary social responsibilities are contingent upon its
ability to tax the population of the US. The private sector must accept this policy.
However, private businesses exert a powerful influence on Washington, so the
expected policy development compromises are present because of the ability to
manipulate data through customized, self-serving methodologies propounded by
researchers.
This work examines the current state of research on the middle class and
the questions surrounding the topic. The major concerns are the size of the
middle class, and whether or not it is shrinking. A primary tool used by
researchers to study the size of the middle class, regardless of its definition, is
the Gini coefficient, which will be explained in detail. The Gini coefficient
measures income inequality in a population group. So by default, the study of
the middle class is overshadowed by the study of income inequality.
Additionally, this paper shows how measuring income inequality at the
state level (Tennessee) allows for confirmation of the current body of research
through application of local results to the conclusions presented by researchers.
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decrease in the middle class. They can be split into two different general
categories: Economic and Social.
Economic Rationale
Beginning with the economic indicators, wage stagnation and inflation are
cited as the number one reason for a decrease in the middle class (McMahon,
1997, 35). The effects of wage stagnation, according to McMahon are reflected
in the decay of our urban centers over the past three or four decades. He argues
that cities are synonymous with the middle class, and that they essentially
created one another. He argues that when wages flatten out, those in the middle
60% either drop or rise on the scale, and unemployment skyrockets. Judging
from the suburban exodus over the years, Americas cities are left with the low
end of the scale within their limits. On an even larger scale, the decline in the
middle class can be attributed to the decrease in available manufacturing jobs
(Kacapyr, 1996, 31). According to Kacapyr, the long, downward trend of the
proportion of jobs in manufacturing has coincided with the increase in Gini
coefficients.
Social Rationale
Changes in household composition over the last 40 years are the primary
social reason for the decline in the middle class. This includes a gradual decline
in the respect for traditional values that our parents held dear (McMahon, 1997,
33). These values included a respect for savings, as well as a commitment for
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living within means and paying bills regularly. Along these same lines, some
researchers ascribe the decline to a loss of sincerity in our social policy planning
(Little, 2001, 341). Little argues that originally, there was a sense of genuine
care built into social programs that is lacking today. She cites Civil War benefit
programs, the GI Bill, and 1935 style social security. However, none of this deals
with the problem of the disappearing middle.
Solutions
Researchers are quick to point out the reasons for the decline, and even
quicker to explain how to fix the dilemma. The solutions of curbing the decline in
the middle class are centered on trying to alleviate income inequality in the US,
which alone is an interesting notion. A logical place to begin the fix is with the
government (Dugger, 1998, 286). Fixing the governments perceived
inefficiency, as a solution, almost seems like an escapist approach to the topic. It
does lead to other interesting suggestions though, such as instituting tax codes
that will allow for half of the lower income bracket to move up into the middle
60% (Ehrle, 1996, 19).
Other proactive solutions are to deal with poverty directly (Feldstein, 1999,
137). Feldstein recommends that we should tackle poverty instead of the afore-
mentioned redistributive policy fixes. The difficulty in defining the middle class
equally applies to the attempt to define poverty. To approach a problem that
has no official definition to work on another issue that shares the same dilemma
compounds the difficulty.
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The Kacapyr group offers other solutions to increase job wages. They
suggest unionizing, job training, and tax reform as the most reasonable ways to
curb income inequality (Kacapyr, 1996, 33). They also identify several shifts in
demographic trends that may affect the Gini coefficient in the near future. First,
labor force growth is slowing down. As less people are available for permanent
positions, as indicated by the temporary service industry becoming Americas
number one growth industry last year, the wages offered at these positions will
increase, fighting wage stagnation. This ultimately would cause the low end to
slide into the middle 60% because they are earning more. The labor force is also
aging, translating into higher pay and benefits to the older workers. Lastly, the
trend in securing education is much like the job training to capitalize on worker
skill sets. More education always translates into higher pay.
Alternative Explanations
Common sense dictates that when trying to implement a solution strategy,
properly defining the problem is the logical place to start. So the most
appropriate solution is to develop a standard measurement for the middle class.
As previously mentioned, few researchers even agree on what is happening with
the middle class. A more extreme perspective states that it has already vanished
(Ehrle, 1996, 20). (See figure #1) This illustrates how Ehrle measures the
middle class. She added capital gains and insurance supplements to the
income, subtracting government transfer payments (EIC) and Social Security
taxes. This was her attempt to remove what she describes as government
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tampering, to expose what is really happening to the middle class strictly at the
household income level. The findings are startling, especially seeing that 37.9%
of the population makes less than $20,000 dollars per year. One can see that
based on the arbitrary definition of the middle class, or the lack thereof,
measurement is not conclusive. Based on the $45,000 cut off, Ehrle was able to
make the middle class vanish. This illustrates the need for standard measures
for the middle class.
An alternate perspective states the direct opposite of the Kacapyr groups
notion of a vanished middle class. In the retail community, based on several
tenets of consumerism, the researchers are of the opinion that the middle class
has not disappeared at all, but remains alive and well (Levy, 1989, 139). Levy
argues that in terms of sales, the middle class has always been based on
traditional values. Levy goes on to identify a return of middle class values in
buying habits, buying traditional items more often than not. This is happening at
the same time that researchers are reporting that the middle class is vanishing.
How can this be? Also, consumer spending is on an increasing long-term trend,
but if the middle class is disappearing, who is doing all the buying? Levy
suggests that Americans are living well above their means. This explains why
the middle class is experiencing the largest personal debt load they have ever
experienced before, brought on by credit cards and loans.
Upon review of the problems and solutions for income inequality, and the
varying views on what is actually happening to the middle class, the following
study shows exactly what the Gini coefficient measures, and outlines a very
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direct, traditional methodology that uses state level Census tables that determine
where income is distributed in Tennessee. In the Findings & Commentary
section, this study will identify the major fallacy in the field by clarifying the
problem.
STUDY SYNOPSIS:
Before discussing the methodology employed to arrive at my
conclusions, a little on the Gini measure is appropriate. Since the 40s, the Gini
coefficient has been widely used as a variable in the majority of studies
concerned with income distribution (Cowell, 1995, 17), providing some degree of
uniformity to the study of income distribution. The Gini coefficient ranges from 0-
1. It is a measure of overall income inequality in a population. According to the
scale, perfect income equality is represented by a 0 score. This would mean, for
instance, that 10% of the population has received 10% of the income distribution,
20% received 20% income distribution, and so on. Graphically, this would be
illustrated by a 45 positive slope line with a range of 0-1. A score of 1 indicates
perfect income inequality, meaning that one household has all the share of
income (Lynch, 1998, 78). (See figure #2)
However, the actual graph of income distribution is traditionally a concave
curve (Lorenz curve) that hangs below perfect equality. The coefficient
measure itself is equal to the algebraic area under the line of equality and said
curve: the greater the area, the larger the income inequality, and in turn, the
larger the Gini coefficient (Atkinson, 1970, 244).
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The attractive aspect of the Gini is that it shows in concise notation the
percentage of income share in a population group. As stated above, it shows
how much aggregate income is held by what percentage of the population. With
the Gini Interpolator program provided by the US Department of Commerce, all
one needs are the very basic variable inputs to complete the prompts on the
program. Without the processor, any researcher would be required to search old
tables for the coefficients, which would be very time consuming. Besides, the
tables are not accurate anymore. To derive a Gini through the base algorithm
step-by-step would require completing a 30 plus step equation, for each income
interval! Instead, all the necessary data was found at the Census website, and
defaults are worked into the system, to be precise as possible. These defaults
control for poverty, population, and race.
METHODOLOGY:
Hypothesis
This study hypothesizes that the Gini coefficients for 1990 and 2000 have
increased along with a decrease in income share of the middle 60% of the
population.
Data Sets
For the purpose of this study, the data inputs required were obtained from
Census Bureau table P080, which is Household Income in 1989, and QT-P32,
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which is Income Distribution of Households in 1999. The tables were entered
into the interpolator, and processed. (See figures #3 and #4) The only
modifications to these tables were the removal of the family composition data
columns that were of no consequence to this study.
Results
The only omited information is the interval prompt for each interval, which
would be very lengthy. The only variables required for our purposes are the
calculated Gini, and income share data. According to analyst and program
developer Kirby Posey of the Department of Commerce Statistics Branch of the
Census Bureau, the standard error indicates that not all prompts were input
during the procedure. Prompts such as input the aggregate income of each
income interval, if available, automatically input a default list of values that are
derived from national trends. Similarly, the race and median income for each
income interval are set at defaults if the information is not available. For the
purpose of this study, the default more than compensates, first because they are
virtually the same as each other, and secondly, the aim of this study is to
produce a comparative analysis between two years, 1990 and 2000, and not
necessarily plot a trend line from year to year.
FINDINGS:
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This study shows quite clearly that the Gini Coefficient for the state of
Tennessee increased from 1990 to 2000. This means more income inequality.
Before the Census 2000 information was available, this comparison could not be
made, not just because of the lack of availability of data sets. In 1993 data
collection methods were changed at the Census Bureau (Census Bureau, 2003)
This is very significant in that Ginis for the following year were skewed. The
availability of the 2000 data sets last summer were the first comprehensive sets
that could be used in a decade comparison since 1990, due to the aggregate
nature of the Gini coefficient which defines distribution in terms of aggregate data
such as household income, and due to similarities to the previous data
collection schemes before the switch.
The Gini in 1990 was 4.517, and in 2000 it has increased to 4.614. This
is an increase of .097, which on a scale of 0-1 is very significant, especially when
this change occurred in the span of a mere decade. To plot these Ginis on the
Lorenz Curve in figure #2 and #7, divide the Ginis by 10. As you can see if you
plot the Gini value for 1990 as a curve, .4517 concisely shows the income spread
of the percentage group of a population and its percentage share of the
aggregate income. (See figure #7)
Points of significance from figure #5 show that the lower quintile holds
only 3.3% of the aggregate income, and a salary cap of under $10,000 for 1990.
This situation was just as bleak in 2000, the lowest quintile held only 3.34% of
the aggregate, virtually no change over 10 years. The top salary in the lowest
fifth in 2000 was $15,550, not much of an improvement over ten years. That is
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an average increase for the top wage of the low 20% of approximately $550 a
year. At the same time, the top 20% gained a whole percentage point, which
translates into an average gain of $10,317 per year through 2000. The top 20%
held just under half the wealth in the state, and in 2000 they were less than half a
percentage point away from clearing 50%. (See figure #8)
While the disparities between the rich and poor are interesting, what is
most important to this study is to identify the income share of the middle class.
As mentioned before, this middle is defined as the middle 60% of the quintile
scale. One sees from figure 5 and 8 that the middle class owns 48.27% of the
state aggregate income in 1990. Simply add the middle three quantiles together
to obtain this figure. In 2000, the middle class experienced a 1.35% drop in
income share to arrive at 46.92% of the aggregate. See figure #8.
With the given methodology which isolates the population as the
independent variable, decreases in Ginis were experienced by the middle and
upper-middle income groups, and since the lower 20% didnt experience any
significant increase in income share, then it is clear where the money shifted.
The dollars shifted into the upper income bracket. Note that the upper limits
between the two years are $100,000 apart. The cap, as calculated by default in
the Gini coefficient processor multiplies the upper limit of the last closed interval
in the scale by approximately 2 to cap the open-ended interval (Welniak, 6).
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COMMENTARY:
Based on a re-examination of the literature review, it becomes clear that
the study of the middle class rests on measurement methodology. There are two
avenues available to researchers who are faced with this type of subject: they
can all agree on a comprehensive definition of a variable of question, or refuse
to, as is the case of the body of work regarding the middle class, and wallow in
ambiguous results based on personalized definitions. Adding to the general
misunderstanding surrounding the field is the fact that most researchers do not
directly identify their independent variable, or their approach, while displaying
their results without this distinction.
The two most popular approaches at measuring the middle class are
based on the two variables used in this study, people and money. The two
methodologies define, from opposite directions, the theory behind the question of
size that permeates all the studies, this one included. The first approach asks
the question has the middle class shrunk in terms of numbers of households?
It becomes mandatory, then, to define the middle class by their income level
(independent variable), which would allow researchers to count households
(dependent variable). The obvious problem is that a standard definition of the
middle does not exist, allowing for every study to define it as they see fit. This
allows for manipulated data.
The second avenue focuses on the other variable, population. This is
much more tangible. The US government realizes that to study class dynamics,
starting with a tangible independent variable makes more sense than taking a
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pluralistic approach by creating self-serving definitions for income brackets. The
illustration below shows the general concept behind the two major income
inequality strategies being used by academics today.
The second avenue concentrates on the population, rather than income
brackets. The government believes that it is more important, economically
speaking, to know who has the money, and where it is, rather than know how
many people are falling within a certain boundary on a scale. More importantly, it
is important to have a standardized, reliable methodology. The US government
has used the Gini coefficient since 1940. So the question for this approach
becomes how much money does X percent of the population hold? as
opposed to how many people make X amount of dollars and become middle
class?
Fortunately for research conducted thus far on the topic of the middle
class, regardless of which methodology one employs, the results do ultimately
say the same thing, even though they tackle the issue from directly opposite
positions, by focusing on different independent variables. All results, some more
extreme than others, point to the fact that wealth is being shifted upwards and
downwards, and that the traditional middle, or what we may call majority
stakeholders in our economy are not moving but losing their monetary power.
MONEY $$$ number of people change
amount of money changesPEOPLE ##
Avenue 1
Avenue 2
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This conclusion is based on the approach that isolates the population as the
independent variable, so that a percentage share of the aggregate income can
be identified. If the operative definition is middle 60% of a population, then that
number of households neverchanges, only their share of the wealth. On the
other hand, if the operational definition of the middle is an income bracket, then
one could track the annual change in number of households falling into the
interval.
This is the biggest misunderstanding that runs throughout the literature.
According to the governments approach, the people in the middle are not going
anywhere, but their dollars are shifting. The confusion presents itself when
researchers define the middle with confusing and convenient terms, and dont
specify what their independent variable is. In this literature review, researchers
have chosen to take the first approach mentioned above, by highlighting the
population as the transient variable, when according to the governments
approach the only mobile variable is the dollar.
APPENDIX A
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A Two-Tiered Stratification Model
(includes capital gains and employee health
insurance less
Social Security payroll taxes and government
transfers)
UPPER CLASS
Upper Upper $100,000+ 6.3%
Middle Upper $60,000-$99,999 14.7%
Lower Upper $45,000-$59,999 11.8%
Percent of households over $45,000: 32%
LOWER CLASS
Upper Lower $35,000-$44,999 10.1%
Middle Lower $20,000-$34,999 19.2%
Lower Lower $0-$19,999 37.9%
Percent of households under $45,000: 67.2%
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census Population Reports
Figure #1
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Gini Coefficient Plot
Figure #2
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Figure #3 Figure #4
P080. HOUSEHOLD INCOME IN 1989 -Universe: HouseholdsData Set: 1990 Summary Tape File 3 (STF3) - Sample data
QT-P32. Income Distribution in 1999 of Households andFamilies: 2000Data Set: Census 2000 Summary File 3 (SF 3) - Sample DataGeographic Area: Tennessee
Tennessee
Less than $5,000 163648
$5,000 to $9,999 207221
$10,000 to $12,499 104740
$12,500 to $14,999 89526
$15,000 to $17,499 101753
$17,500 to $19,999 88474
$20,000 to $22,499 97894
$22,500 to $24,999 79647
$25,000 to $27,499 88525
$27,500 to $29,999 70372
$30,000 to $32,499 84031
$32,500 to $34,999 61093
$35,000 to $37,499 67147$37,500 to $39,999 52969
$40,000 to $42,499 57308
$42,500 to $44,999 42799
$45,000 to $47,499 46215
$47,500 to $49,999 34541
$50,000 to $54,999 67313
$55,000 to $59,999 49414
$60,000 to $74,999 94201
$75,000 to $99,999 56341
$100,000 to $124,999 20626
$125,000 to $149,999 8143
$150,000 or more 19,574
Mean income 29338
Figure #3
Total 2,234,229
Less than $10,000 267,405
$10,000 to $14,999 161,773
$15,000 to $19,999 160,371
$20,000 to $24,999 165,763
$25,000 to $29,999 162,795
$30,000 to $34,999 157,126
$35,000 to $39,999 140,047
$40,000 to $44,999 133,864
$45,000 to $49,999 114,184
$50,000 to $59,999 196,781$60,000 to $74,999 208,583
$75,000 to $99,999 179,559
$100,000 to $124,999 80,699
$125,000 to $149,999 36,080
$150,000 to $199,999 31,095
$200,000 or more 38,104
Mean income (dollars) 48,688
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Gini Coefficient, 1990 Gini Coefficient, 2000
GINI 1990GINI= 4.517996E-01 STAND ERROR=2.862447E-02
QUINTILE UPPER LIMIT SHARE1 9995.00 3.312 19604.65 9.193 30559.32 15.534 46332.13 23.555 299998.00 48.42
QUARTILE UPPER LIMIT SHARE1 12207.09 5.052 24806.11 14.373 41386.50 25.324 299998.00 55.27
DECIILE UPPER LIMIT SHARE1 5522.68 .882 9995.00 2.43
3 14745.44 3.844 19604.65 5.355 24806.11 6.916 30559.32 8.627 37231.60 10.558 46332.13 13.009 61487.34 16.5910 299998.00 31.83
GINI 2000GINI= 4.614518E-01 STANDARDERROR= 2.692356E-02
QUINTILE UPPER LIMIT SHARE1 15549.85 3.342 29249.12 9.213 44636.30 15.054 67911.36 22.665 399998.00 49.74
QUARTILE UPPER LIMIT SHARE1 19032.75 5.112 36494.27 14.173 60819.53 24.384 399998.00 56.33
DECIILE UPPER LIMIT SHARE1 8354.39 .862 15549.85 2.48
3 22433.79 3.914 29249.12 5.305 36494.27 6.746 44636.30 8.317 54518.41 10.168 67911.36 12.509 92486.65 16.1410 399998.00 33.61
Figure #5 Figure #6
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Figure #7
Tennessee Gini Comparison Plots for 1990 & 2000
Lorenz Curve: Income Inequality by quintile shareTennessee Household Income, 1990 & 2000
2000
1990
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Figure #8
Comparison Chart for Tennessee: 1990 & 2000
Item: 1990 2000Gini Coefficient 4.517 4.614
Low 20% quintile share 3.31% 3.34%
High 20% quintile share 48.42% 49.74%
Middle 60% share 48.27% 46.92%
Upper limit, Low 20% $9995 $15,549
Upper limit, High 20% $299998 $399998
Highest 10% decile share 31.83% 33.61%
Lowest 10% decile share .88% .86%
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