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Charity and redistributive taxation in a unionized economy

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  • Corneo, Giacomo

Abstract

European economies are characterized by unionized labor markets and governmental redistribution of income. This paper studies a model where those two features are combined with the possibility for individuals to make charitable contributions to the poor. The model exhibits equilibrium unemployment that increases with the degree of altruism. It is shown that a more progressive income tax can both reduce the unemployment rate and improve the public budget. These results are driven by charity increasing wage pressure and the altruistic rich failing to internalize the effect of their donations on the wage setting behavior of the unions.

Suggested Citation

  • Corneo, Giacomo, 2008. "Charity and redistributive taxation in a unionized economy," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 15(5), pages 831-843, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:labeco:v:15:y:2008:i:5:p:831-843
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    Cited by:

    1. Koulovatianos, Christos & Schrder, Carsten & Schmidt, Ulrich, 2009. "Nonmarket Household Time and the Cost of Children," Journal of Business & Economic Statistics, American Statistical Association, vol. 27, pages 42-51.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Equilibrium unemployment Tax-transfer system Charity Trade unions;

    JEL classification:

    • J50 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - General
    • H24 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Personal Income and Other Nonbusiness Taxes and Subsidies

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