The Effects of Good Governance Indicators on Income Distribution Using Panel Data (Case Study: Selected South-Western Asian Countries)

With regard to the increasing income inequality, higher unemployment rates, urbanization, economic inefficiency, lack of economic justice in different societies especially within developing countries, and highlighting the role of governments in achieving a better distribution of incomes, the need for good governance is strongly felt. This study aims to examine the impact of the good governance on income distribution among the South-Western Asia countries during the period from 1996 to 2013. It estimates two panel data models using Stata12 software. In the first model, the index of good governance quality and in the second model, six indicators of good governance are investigated. The results show that the index of governance quality and the indicators of political stability and government effectiveness have negative and significant effects on reducing inequality. Thus, the proper policy-making may improve the distribution of income in these countries.