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How Does the Middle-Class Share Affect Growth and Distribution in a Three-Class Economy?

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  • Sasaki, Hiroaki
  • Pham, Thu Giang Huong

Abstract

This study presents a three-class economy model (workers, middle class, and capitalists) and investigates how the middle-class share evolves over time. It also examines the relationship between the middle-class share and economic growth. Depending on the parameters and initial conditions, three different long-run situations arise: (i) an Anti-Dual equilibrium, in which workers and capitalists coexist while the middle class vanishes; (ii) a Pasinetti equilibrium, in which all three classes coexist; and (iii) a Dual equilibrium, in which workers and the middle class coexist while capitalists vanish. An expanding middle-class share either increases or decreases economic growth depending on the conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Sasaki, Hiroaki & Pham, Thu Giang Huong, 2025. "How Does the Middle-Class Share Affect Growth and Distribution in a Three-Class Economy?," MPRA Paper 124475, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:124475
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    classical growth model; middle class; income distribution;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E24 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Employment; Unemployment; Wages; Intergenerational Income Distribution; Aggregate Human Capital; Aggregate Labor Productivity
    • E25 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Aggregate Factor Income Distribution
    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles

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