Hyperbolic discounting and state‐dependent commitment

Takayuki Ogawa and Hiroaki Ohno

Economica, 2024, vol. 91, issue 362, 414-445

Abstract: In a stochastic economy with uninsurable endowment risk, we establish a condition under which hyperbolic‐discounting consumers commit to a future consumption path using both illiquid assets and borrowing constraints as commitment devices. There is the possibility that a state‐dependent commitment can be adopted as an equilibrium consumption strategy. On a path leading to low future endowment, the current self can commit to its own optimal consumption path, which is undesirable for future selves. In contrast, along the path with a high future endowment, the current self cannot make a commitment and must accept a consumption allocation that future selves will revise. Thus, depending on what stochastic state will arise, people cannot fully utilize the available commitment devices in risky situations.

Date: 2024
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