Rich and Powerful? Subjective Power and Welfare in Russia

45 Pages Posted: 31 Jul 2003

Date Written: June 2002

Abstract

Does "empowerment" come hand-in-hand with higher economic welfare? In theory, higher income is likely to raise both power and welfare, but heterogeneity in other characteristics and household formation can either strengthen or weaken the relationship. Survey data on Russian adults indicate that higher individual and household incomes raise both self-rated power and welfare. The individual income effect is primarily direct, rather than through higher household income. There are diminishing returns to income, though income inequality emerges as only a minor factor reducing either aggregate power or welfare. At given income, the identified covariates have strikingly similar effects on power and welfare. There are some notable differences between men and women in perceived power.

This paper - a product of the Poverty Team, Development Research Group - is part of a larger effort in the group to explore broader measures of well-being. The authors may be contacted at mlokshin@worldbank.org or mravallion@worldbank.org.

JEL Classification: D60

Suggested Citation

Lokshin, Michael and Ravallion, Martin, Rich and Powerful? Subjective Power and Welfare in Russia (June 2002). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=353400

Michael Lokshin

World Bank ( email )

1818 H. Street, N.W.
MSN3-311
Washington, DC 20433
United States
202-473-1772 (Phone)
202-522-1153 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://econ.worldbank.org/staff/mlokshin

Martin Ravallion (Contact Author)

Georgetown University ( email )

Washington, DC 20057
United States

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