Power fluctuations and political economy

Daron Acemoglu, Mikhail Golosov and Aleh Tsyvinski

Journal of Economic Theory, 2011, vol. 146, issue 3, 1009-1041

Abstract: We study (constrained) Pareto efficient allocations in a dynamic production economy where the group that holds political power decides the allocation of resources. For high discount factors, the economy converges to a first-best allocation where labor supply decisions are not distorted. For low discount factors, distortions do not disappear and fluctuate over time. Most importantly, the set of sustainable first-best allocations is larger when there is less persistence in the identity of the party in power (because this encourages political compromise). This result contradicts the common presumption that there will be fewer distortions when there is a "stable ruling group".

Keywords: Commitment; problem; Dynamic; political; economy; Olson-McGuire; hypothesis; Political; compromise; Political; economy; Political; power (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (48)

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Related works:
Working Paper: Power Fluctuations and Political Economy (2009)
Working Paper: Power Fluctuations and Political Economy (2009)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jetheo:v:146:y:2011:i:3:p:1009-1041

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