Randentropy: a software to measure inequality in random systems

Abstract

The software Randentropy is designed to estimate inequality in a random system where several individuals interact moving among many communities and producing dependent random quantities of an attribute. The overall inequality is assessed by computing the Random Theil's Entropy. Firstly, the software estimates a piecewise homogeneous Markov chain by identifying the changing-points and the relative transition probability matrices. Secondly, it estimates the multivariate distribution function of the attribute using a copula function approach and finally, through a Monte Carlo algorithm, evaluates the expected value of the Random Theil's Entropy. Possible applications are discussed as related to the fields of finance and human mobility.