Nonpaternalistic intergenerational altruism

Debraj Ray

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    The paper develops a concept of equilibrium behaviour and establishes its existence in a model of nonpaternalistic intergenerational altruism. Each generation derives utility from its own consumption and the utilities of its successors. Equilibrium capital stocks are time-monotone and therefore converge to a steady state. Finally. when each generation's utility depends on that of at least two successors, equilibria may be inefficient. This is shown by an example, where feasible programs exist providing greater consumption (compared to the equilibrium path) for every generation.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)112-132
    Number of pages21
    JournalJournal of Economic Theory
    Volume41
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Feb 1987

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Economics and Econometrics

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Nonpaternalistic intergenerational altruism'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this