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Differences in Wealth and Altruistic Behaviour: A Model

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  • Luigi M. Tomasini

Abstract

In an economy with N individuals each individual is concerned, by assumption, with his own felicity as well as that of all or some others. If the society is composed of very few individuals with a high level of wealth and many with a low one and if altruistic behaviour of any two individuals toward each other decreases with their wealth difference, the largest contribution to the felicity of other individuals is made by those whose wealth is neither too high nor too low (middleclass).

Suggested Citation

  • Luigi M. Tomasini, 2004. "Differences in Wealth and Altruistic Behaviour: A Model," Department of Economics University of Siena 420, Department of Economics, University of Siena.
    • Handle: RePEc:usi:wpaper:420
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    File URL: http://repec.deps.unisi.it/quaderni/420.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Martin A. Nowak & Karl Sigmund, 1998. "Evolution of indirect reciprocity by image scoring," Nature, Nature, vol. 393(6685), pages 573-577, June.
    2. M.A. Nowak & K. Sigmund, 1998. "Evolution of Indirect Reciprocity by Image Scoring/ The Dynamics of Indirect Reciprocity," Working Papers ir98040, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis.
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    • C00 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - General - - - General

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