Consumption Externalities, Habit Formation and Equilibrium Efficiency*

B-Tier
Journal: Scandanavian Journal of Economics
Year: 2004
Volume: 106
Issue: 2
Pages: 231-251

Score contribution per author:

0.670 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

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

Abstract

We analyze the welfare properties of the competitive equilibrium in a capital accumulation model where individual preferences are subject to both habit formation and consumption spillovers. Using an additive specification for preferences, according to which the argument in the utility function is a linear combination of present and past values of own consumption and consumption spillovers, we analyze the circumstances under which these spillovers are a source of inefficiency. It is shown that consumption externalities have to interact with habits in order to generate an inefficient dynamic equilibrium. Finally, we characterize optimal tax policies aimed at restoring efficient decentralized paths.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:bla:scandj:v:106:y:2004:i:2:p:231-251
Journal Field
General
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-24