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Hyperbolic discounting and endogenous growth

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  • Strulik, Holger

Abstract

This paper provides the closed form solution for the standard model of endogenous growth when consumers have present-biased preferences and make time-inconsistent savings plans, which they revise continuously. It is shown that long-run growth is not necessarily lower under present-biased preferences. In fact, a strong equivalence result holds. If hyperbolic discounting provides the same present value of a constant infinite income stream as standard exponential discounting, then the equilibrium rate of economic growth is also the same under both discounting methods. In this sense present-bias preferences are harmless for economic growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Strulik, Holger, 2015. "Hyperbolic discounting and endogenous growth," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 131-134.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:126:y:2015:i:c:p:131-134
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2014.11.032
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    Cited by:

    1. Strulik, Holger & Trimborn, Timo, 2018. "Hyperbolic discounting can be good for your health," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 44-57.
    2. Strulik, Holger, 2017. "Hyperbolic discounting and the time-consistent solution of three canonical environmental problems," Center for European, Governance and Economic Development Research Discussion Papers 319, University of Goettingen, Department of Economics.
    3. Strulik, Holger, 2016. "Limited self-control and long-run growth," Mathematical Social Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 1-8.
    4. Cabo, Francisco & Martín-Herrán, Guiomar & Martínez-García, María Pilar, 2015. "Non-constant discounting and Ak-type growth models," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 54-58.
    5. Cabo, Francisco & Martín-Herrán, Guiomar & Martínez-García, María Pilar, 2016. "Unbounded growth in the Neoclassical growth model with non-constant discounting," Mathematical Social Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 93-104.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Hyperbolic discounting; Time-inconsistency; Endogenous growth;

    JEL classification:

    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • E21 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Consumption; Saving; Wealth
    • O40 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - General

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