Public Tariffs and Income Distribution: Theory and Preliminary Measurement for Argentina

Abstract

This article makes an effort in integrating the theory of public tariffs which considers aspects on income distribution with empirical evidence for the Argentinean economy. A theoretical framework is developed in order to relate these aspects which have been historically divorced for the Argentinean case. It is then shown that some commonly used criteria to measure the impact of public tariffs on income distribution are mistaken. Finally, an attempt is made in measuring the presence of distributive considerations for Argentinean public tariffs.