Calculation of a Population Externality

A-Tier
Journal: American Economic Journal: Economic Policy
Year: 2015
Volume: 7
Issue: 2
Pages: 61-87

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

It is known that when people generate externalities, a birth also generates an externality and efficiency requires a Pigou tax/subsidy on having children. The size of the externality from a birth is important for studying policy. We calculate the size of this "population externality" in a specific case: we consider a maintained hypothesis that greenhouse gas emissions are a serious problem and assume government reacts by optimally restricting emissions. Calculated population externalities are large under many assumptions (JEL D62, H23, J11, J13, Q54, Q58)

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aejpol:v:7:y:2015:i:2:p:61-87
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-24