Progressive Tax and Inequality in a Unionized Economy

B-Tier
Journal: Scandanavian Journal of Economics
Year: 2020
Volume: 122
Issue: 1
Pages: 38-80

Authors (3)

Chun‐Chieh Huang (not in RePEc) Juin‐Jen Chang (Academia Sinica) Hsiao‐Wen Hung (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

0.673 = (α=2.02 / 3 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

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

Abstract

In this paper, we develop a heterogeneous‐agent, endogenous growth model of a unionized economy with distinct progressive tax schedules on labor and capital income. With time preference heterogeneity, the effective labor force, balanced growth, and income inequality are endogenously determined, and these interact with each other. A reduction in the degree of progressive labor tax yields a “double‐dividend” in terms of reducing income inequality and boosting economic growth, while capital income progressivity displays the usual growth–inequality trade‐off. Particularly, the double‐dividend effect becomes more pronounced when unionization is declined or trade unions become more wage‐oriented, leading to the so‐called “Cheshire cat” phenomenon.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:bla:scandj:v:122:y:2020:i:1:p:38-80
Journal Field
General
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25