La desigualdad en México a partir de un modelo estadístico idealizado de demandas Marshallianas, 2012-2014

Abstract

This text makes a quantitative analysis on inequality in Mexico between 2012 and 2014. The research establishes a link between Liberal Political Economy and Orthodox Economic Theory from the study of inequality. First, the text indicates the relevance of measuring inequality because the equality is the value that should prevail in a just society. Second, the paper presents the results of an idealized economic statistical model of Marshallian demands on a set of basic goods and services (whole milk, meat, egg, white bread, bottled water, and medical services) in Mexican households. Finally, the investigation concludes that, under certain assumptions and with the exception of general medical consultations, the reduction in consumption differences among the ten deciles of households in Mexico is explained by the decrease in average quarterly income from the fourth decile and the increase of the prices of the goods and services considered in this study. That is, if the gap in consumption is closing is due to a decreased real income. These conclusions invite us to reflect on the relevance of an economic policy focused on guaranteeing decent levels of employment, education, food and housing.