Welfare Dependence and Self-Control: An Empirical Analysis

S-Tier
Journal: Review of Economic Studies
Year: 2017
Volume: 84
Issue: 4
Pages: 1379-1423

Score contribution per author:

8.073 = (α=2.02 / 1 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

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

Abstract

A hyperbolic discounting model of labour supply and welfare participation with heterogeneous time preference parameters is estimated. Exclusion restrictions are constructed from variations in behaviour induced by time limits in a welfare reform experiment. We find that most individuals are time-inconsistent, and they exhibit varying degrees of present bias and perception of the commitment problem. Introducing a welfare component to the tax system can make individuals worse off by aggravating the commitment problem. Certain dynamic policy interventions carry sizeable commitment-related work incentives; for instance, a dynamic sanction triggered by past employment can be preferred by some individuals as a commitment device.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:oup:restud:v:84:y:2017:i:4:p:1379-1423
Journal Field
General
Author Count
1
Added to Database
2026-01-25