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Self-Fulfilling Prophecies, Quasi Non-Ergodicity and Wealth Inequality

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  • Jean-Philippe Bouchaud
  • Roger Farmer

Abstract

We construct a model of an exchange economy in which agents trade assets contingent on an observable signal, the probability of which depends on public opinion. The agents in our model are replaced occasionally and each person updates beliefs in response to observed outcomes. We show that the distribution of the observed signal is described by a quasi-non-ergodic process and that people continue to disagree with each other forever. These disagreements generate large wealth inequalities that arise from the multiplicative nature of wealth dynamics which make successful bold bets highly profitable.

Suggested Citation

  • Jean-Philippe Bouchaud & Roger Farmer, 2020. "Self-Fulfilling Prophecies, Quasi Non-Ergodicity and Wealth Inequality," Papers 2012.09445, arXiv.org, revised Apr 2022.
    • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:2012.09445
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xavier Gabaix & Jean‐Michel Lasry & Pierre‐Louis Lions & Benjamin Moll, 2016. "The Dynamics of Inequality," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 84, pages 2071-2111, November.
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    2. Mitsokapas, Evangelos & Harris, Rosemary J., 2022. "Decision-making with distorted memory: Escaping the trap of past experience," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 593(C).

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