This paper* develops a social unrest measure by revising Esteban-Ray (1994, Econometrica) polarization index. For the purpose of measuring more effectively the level of social unrest that is generated by separation of income classes, the new index allows for asymmetry between the rich and the...

The empirical evidence for a positive relationship between income inequality and crime is mixed at best. This paper questions the use of standard income inequality measures (e.g., Gini coefficient) in this literature and makes the case that polarization of the income distribution is a crucial...