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On the Political Economy of the Informal Sector and Income Redistribution

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  • Ozan Hatipoglu
  • Gulenay Ozbek

Abstract

In this paper we analyze a general equilibrium model in which agents choose to be employed in formal or in the informal sector. The formal sector is taxed to provide income subsidies and the level of redistribution is determined endogenously through majority voting. We explore how the demand for redistribution determined by majority voting interacts with the incentive to work in the untaxed informal market. We also investigate how different levels of the informal sector wage can explain simultaneous changes in the size of the informal sector and level of redistribution. The model is simulated to produce qualitative results to illustrate the differences between economies with different distributional features. The model accounts for the different sizes of informal sector and income redistribution in Mexico and United States.
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Suggested Citation

  • Ozan Hatipoglu & Gulenay Ozbek, 2007. "On the Political Economy of the Informal Sector and Income Redistribution," Working Papers 2007/11, Bogazici University, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:bou:wpaper:2007/11
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Aziz N. Berdiev & James W. Saunoris, 2019. "On the Relationship Between Income Inequality and the Shadow Economy," Eastern Economic Journal, Palgrave Macmillan;Eastern Economic Association, vol. 45(2), pages 224-249, April.
    2. Başbay, Mustafa Metin & Elgin, Ceyhun & Torul, Orhan, 2018. "Socio-demographics, political attitudes and informal sector employment: A cross-country analysis," Economic Systems, Elsevier, vol. 42(4), pages 556-568.
    3. Eugenia Fotoniata & Thomas Moutos, 2013. "Product Quality, Informality, and Child Labor," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 17(2), pages 268-283, May.
    4. Mohammad Javad Razmi & Arash Jamalmanesh, 2014. "How Political Indices Affect The Shadow Economy," Romanian Economic Business Review, Romanian-American University, vol. 9(1), pages 45-55, March.
    5. Ceyhun Elgin & Mario-Solis Garcia, 2012. "Public Trust, Taxes and the Informal Sector," Bogazici Journal, Review of Social, Economic and Administrative Studies, Bogazici University, Department of Economics, vol. 26(1), pages 27-44.
    6. Ha, Le Thanh & Dung, Hoang Phuong & Thanh, To Trung, 2021. "Economic complexity and shadow economy: A multi-dimensional analysis," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 408-422.
    7. Nedra Baklouti & Younes Boujelbene, 2020. "A simultaneous equation model of economic growth and shadow economy: Is there a difference between the developed and developing countries?," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 53(1), pages 151-170, February.
    8. Ceyhun Elgin, 2020. "Shadow Economies Around the World: Evidence from Metropolitan Areas," Eastern Economic Journal, Palgrave Macmillan;Eastern Economic Association, vol. 46(2), pages 301-322, April.
    9. Hakan Kum, 2024. "The Relationship Between Informal Economy and Income Inequality: An Econometric Analysis for BRICS Countries," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 14(1), pages 117-125, January.
    10. Isaac Ketu & Arsene Mouongue Kelly & Jules-Eric Tchapchet Tchouto, 2024. "Does economic complexity reduce the size of the shadow economy in African countries?," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 4(1), pages 1-27, January.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H20 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - General
    • D3 - Microeconomics - - Distribution
    • J20 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - General

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