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The Rich and the Great Recession

Author

Listed:
  • Mr. Bas B. Bakker
  • Mr. Joshua Felman

Abstract

Most papers explaining the macro causes of the U.S. Great Recession focus on the behavior of the middle class: how its saving rate declined in the pre-crisis years, then surged following the crisis. This paper argues that the saving rate of the rich followed a similar pattern, the result of wealth effects associated with a boom-bust in asset prices. Indeed, the swings in saving by the rich must actually have played the most important role in the consumption boom-bust, since since the top 10 percent account for almost half of income and two-thirds of wealth. In other words, the rich played a critical role in the Great Recession.

Suggested Citation

  • Mr. Bas B. Bakker & Mr. Joshua Felman, 2014. "The Rich and the Great Recession," IMF Working Papers 2014/225, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2014/225
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    Cited by:

    1. Tassos Giannitsis & Stavros Zografakis, 2015. "Greece: Solidarity And Adjustment In Times Of Crisis," IMK Studies 38-2015, IMK at the Hans Boeckler Foundation, Macroeconomic Policy Institute.
    2. Barry Z. Cynamon & Steven M. Fazzari, 2015. "Rising inequality and stagnation in the US economy," European Journal of Economics and Economic Policies: Intervention, Edward Elgar Publishing, vol. 12(2), pages 170-182, September.
    3. Jan Behringer & Till van Treeck, 2013. "Income distribution and current account: A sectoral perspective," IMK Working Paper 125-2013, IMK at the Hans Boeckler Foundation, Macroeconomic Policy Institute.

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