Absolute Mobility vs. Total Mobility

Attribute	Absolute Mobility	Total Mobility
Definition	Refers to the ability of an individual or group to improve their economic status compared to their parents or previous generation	Refers to the overall movement of individuals or groups within the social or economic hierarchy
Focus	Focuses on individual or generational economic progress	Focuses on broader societal movement and inequality
Measurement	Measured by comparing income or wealth between generations	Measured by analyzing income distribution and social mobility across a population
Impact	Impacts individual economic opportunities and social mobility	Impacts societal equality and economic structure

Definition of Absolute Mobility

Absolute mobility refers to the ability of an individual or group to move up or down the economic ladder in terms of income or wealth. It is a measure of how much an individual's or group's economic status changes over time, regardless of how others are faring. Absolute mobility is often used to assess the overall economic progress of a society and to determine if individuals are able to improve their standard of living.

Definition of Total Mobility

Total mobility, on the other hand, refers to the overall movement of individuals or groups within the economic ladder. It takes into account both upward and downward mobility, as well as any lateral movement that may occur. Total mobility provides a more comprehensive view of how individuals are moving within the economic system and can help identify trends in social and economic mobility over time.

Key Differences

One key difference between absolute mobility and total mobility is the focus of each measure. Absolute mobility looks specifically at the changes in an individual's or group's economic status over time, while total mobility considers the overall movement of individuals within the economic system. This means that absolute mobility may not capture all the nuances of mobility that total mobility does.

Another difference is in how each measure is calculated. Absolute mobility typically looks at changes in income or wealth over time, often comparing an individual's or group's economic status at two different points in time. Total mobility, on the other hand, considers all types of movement within the economic system, including upward, downward, and lateral mobility.

Implications for Policy

The differences between absolute mobility and total mobility have important implications for policy makers. If a society is primarily concerned with ensuring that individuals are able to improve their economic status over time, then policies aimed at increasing absolute mobility may be more appropriate. These policies could include measures to increase access to education, job training, and economic opportunities.

On the other hand, if a society is more concerned with overall economic mobility and ensuring that individuals have the opportunity to move within the economic system, then policies aimed at increasing total mobility may be more effective. These policies could focus on reducing barriers to mobility, such as discrimination, lack of access to resources, and economic inequality.

Measuring Success

When it comes to measuring the success of policies aimed at increasing mobility, both absolute mobility and total mobility can provide valuable insights. Absolute mobility can help determine if individuals are able to improve their economic status over time, while total mobility can show how individuals are moving within the economic system as a whole.

By using both measures in conjunction, policy makers can get a more comprehensive view of how individuals are faring in terms of economic mobility. This can help identify areas where policies may be falling short and where additional interventions may be needed to ensure that all individuals have the opportunity to improve their economic status.

Conclusion

In conclusion, absolute mobility and total mobility are both important measures of economic mobility that provide valuable insights into how individuals are faring within the economic system. While absolute mobility focuses on changes in economic status over time, total mobility considers the overall movement of individuals within the economic ladder.

Policy makers should consider both measures when designing policies aimed at increasing economic mobility, as each provides a unique perspective on how individuals are moving within the economic system. By using both absolute mobility and total mobility in conjunction, policy makers can better assess the effectiveness of their policies and ensure that all individuals have the opportunity to improve their economic status.