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An Analytical Construction Of Constantinides¿ Social Utility Function

Author

Listed:
  • Lilia Maliar

    (Universidad de Alicante)

  • Serguei Maliar

    (Universidad de Alicante)

Abstract

This paper studies the properties of the social utility function defined by the planner's problem of Constantinides (1982). We show one set of restrictions on the optimal planner's policy rule, which is sufficient for constructing the social utility function analytically. For such well-known classes of utility functions as the HARA and the CES, our construction is equivalent to Gorman's (1953) aggregation. However, we can also construct the social utility function analytically in some cases when Gorman's (1953) representative consumer does not exist; in such cases, the social utility function depends on "heterogeneity" parameters. Our results can be used for simplifying the analysis of equilibrium in dynamic heterogeneous-agent models.

Suggested Citation

  • Lilia Maliar & Serguei Maliar, 2005. "An Analytical Construction Of Constantinides¿ Social Utility Function," Working Papers. Serie AD 2005-25, Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Económicas, S.A. (Ivie).
    • Handle: RePEc:ivi:wpasad:2005-25
    as

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    File URL: http://www.ivie.es/downloads/docs/wpasad/wpasad-2005-25.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    3. Maliar, Lilia & Maliar, Serguei, 2001. "Heterogeneity in capital and skills in a neoclassical stochastic growth model," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 25(9), pages 1367-1397, September.
    4. Shafer, Wayne J, 1977. "Revealed Preference and Aggregation," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 45(5), pages 1173-1182, July.
    5. Lilia Maliar & Serguei Maliar, 2003. "The Representative Consumer in the Neoclassical Growth Model with Idiosyncratic Shocks," Review of Economic Dynamics, Elsevier for the Society for Economic Dynamics, vol. 6(2), pages 368-380, April.
    6. Masao Ogaki, 2003. "Aggregation under Complete Markets," Review of Economic Dynamics, Elsevier for the Society for Economic Dynamics, vol. 6(4), pages 977-986, October.
    7. Paul A. Samuelson, 1956. "Social Indifference Curves," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 70(1), pages 1-22.
    8. Chipman, John S. & Moore, James C., 1979. "On social welfare functions and the aggregation of preferences," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 21(1), pages 111-139, August.
    9. Charles Blackorby & William Schworm, 1993. "The Implications of Additive Community Preferences in a Multi-Consumer Economy," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 60(1), pages 209-227.
    10. Zinde-Walsh, Victoria, 1995. "ESTIMATION AND INFERENCE IN ECONOMETRICSRussell Davidson and James G. MacKinnon Oxford University Press, 1993," Econometric Theory, Cambridge University Press, vol. 11(3), pages 631-635, June.
    11. Jaume Ventura & Francesco Caselli, 2000. "A Representative Consumer Theory of Distribution," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 90(4), pages 909-926, September.
    12. Lilia Maliar & Serguei Maliar, 2004. "Preference shocks from aggregation: time series data evidence," Canadian Journal of Economics, Canadian Economics Association, vol. 37(3), pages 768-781, August.
    13. Muellbauer, John, 1976. "Community Preferences and the Representative Consumer," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 44(5), pages 979-999, September.
    14. Hildenbrand, Werner, 1983. "On the "Law of Demand."," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 51(4), pages 997-1019, July.
    15. Lilia Maliar & Serguei Maliar, 2003. "Quasi-Linear Preferences In The Macroeconomy: Indeterminacy, Heterogeneity Andthe Representative Consumer," Working Papers. Serie AD 2003-30, Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Económicas, S.A. (Ivie).
    16. Atkeson, Andrew & Ogaki, Masao, 1996. "Wealth-varying intertemporal elasticities of substitution: Evidence from panel and aggregate data," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 38(3), pages 507-534, December.
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    18. Den Haan, Wouter J., 1997. "Solving Dynamic Models With Aggregate Shocks And Heterogeneous Agents," Macroeconomic Dynamics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 1(2), pages 355-386, June.
    19. Chipman, John S., 1974. "Homothetic preferences and aggregation," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 8(1), pages 26-38, May.
    20. Per Krusell & Anthony A. Smith & Jr., 1998. "Income and Wealth Heterogeneity in the Macroeconomy," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 106(5), pages 867-896, October.
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    Keywords

    Aggregation of preferences; Planner's problem; Social utility function; Social welfare; Gorman aggregation;
    All these keywords.

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