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Growth and inequality: Dependence on the time path of productivity increases (and other structural changes)

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  • Atolia, Manoj
  • Chatterjee, Santanu
  • Turnovsky, Stephen J.

Abstract

This paper examines the significance of the time path of a given productivity increase on growth and inequality. Whereas the time path impacts only the transitional paths of aggregate quantities, it has both transitional and permanent consequences for wealth and income distribution. Hence, the growth–inequality tradeoff generated by a given discrete increase in productivity contrasts sharply with that obtained when the same productivity increase occurs gradually. The latter can generate a Kuznets-type relationship between inequality and per-capita income. Our results suggest that economies with similar aggregate structural characteristics may have different outcomes for income and wealth inequality, depending on the nature of the productivity growth path.

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  • Atolia, Manoj & Chatterjee, Santanu & Turnovsky, Stephen J., 2012. "Growth and inequality: Dependence on the time path of productivity increases (and other structural changes)," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 36(3), pages 331-348.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:dyncon:v:36:y:2012:i:3:p:331-348
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jedc.2011.08.012
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    8. Getachew, Yoseph Y. & Turnovsky, Stephen J., 2015. "Productive government spending and its consequences for the growth–inequality tradeoff," Research in Economics, Elsevier, vol. 69(4), pages 621-640.
    9. Stephen J. Turnovsky & Aditi Mitra, 2013. "The Interaction between Human and Physical Capital Accumulation and the Growth-Inequality Trade-off," Journal of Human Capital, University of Chicago Press, vol. 7(1), pages 26-75.
    10. Turnovsky, Stephen J., 2015. "Economic growth and inequality: The role of public investment," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 204-221.
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    12. Marta Aloi & Frederic Tournemaine, 2013. "Inequality, growth, and environmental quality tradeoffs in a model with human capital accumulation," Canadian Journal of Economics, Canadian Economics Association, vol. 46(3), pages 1123-1155, August.
    13. Gokan, Yoichi & Turnovsky, Stephen J., 2023. "Taylor rules: Consequences for wealth and income inequality," Journal of Macroeconomics, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    14. Chatterjee, Santanu & Turnovsky, Stephen J., 2012. "Infrastructure and inequality," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 56(8), pages 1730-1745.
    15. Jorge Rojas-Vallejos & Stephen Turnovsky, 2015. "Erratum to: The Consequences of Tariff Reduction for Economic Activity and Inequality," Open Economies Review, Springer, vol. 26(4), pages 601-631, September.
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    17. Amarante, Veronica, 2009. "Income Inequality and Economic Growth in Latin America," Economics PhD Theses 0109, Department of Economics, University of Sussex Business School.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Growth; Inequality; Path dependence;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • O41 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - One, Two, and Multisector Growth Models

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