This paper examines the effect of inequality upon economic growth. Much of the existing empirical literature has found a negative effect of inequality upon long run growth. In contrast, our theoretical model, in which heterogeneous individuals jointly determine the levels of investment in human capital and fertility, predicts that the effect of inequality upon growth is non-monotonic: inequality impedes growth in low fertility economies, but fosters growth in high fertility economies. We provide empirical support for this prediction by estimating a system of equations to which growth, investment in human capital, and fertility are endogenous.
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Length: 39 pages Date of creation: 2002 Date of revision: Handle: RePEc:mlb:wpaper:841
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Find related papers by JEL classification: D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
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