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The Welfare Cost of Imperfect Competition and Distortionary Taxation

Author

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  • Jonsson, Magnus

    (Research Department, Central Bank of Sweden)

Abstract

The welfare cost of imperfect competition in the product and labor market as well as distortionary taxation is quantified in a dynamic general equilibrium model parameterized to fit the U.S. economy. We find that the welfare cost of imperfect competition in the product market is 35.74 percent while it is 0.66 percent in the labor market, taking the transition from the distorted to the optimal steady state into account. If we also take into account that the U.S. economy is characterized by distortionary taxation the welfare cost in the product market increases to 48.26 percent and 4.70 percent in the labor market.

Suggested Citation

  • Jonsson, Magnus, 2004. "The Welfare Cost of Imperfect Competition and Distortionary Taxation," Working Paper Series 170, Sveriges Riksbank (Central Bank of Sweden).
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:rbnkwp:0170
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    monopolistic competition; distortionary taxation; welfare;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D40 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - General
    • H20 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - General
    • L10 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - General

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