On optimality in intergenerational risk sharing

B-Tier
Journal: Economic Theory
Year: 2002
Volume: 20
Issue: 1
Pages: 1-27

Score contribution per author:

2.018 = (α=2.02 / 1 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

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

Abstract

This paper defines and studies optimality in a dynamic stochastic economy with finitely lived agents, and investigates the optimality properties of an equilibrium with or without sequentially complete markets. Various Pareto optimality concepts are considered, including interim and ex ante optimality. We show that, at an equilibrium with a productive asset (land) and sequentially complete markets, the intervention of a government may be justified, but only to improve risk sharing between generations. If markets are incomplete, constrained interim optimality is investigated in two-period lived OLG economies. We extend the optimality properties of an equilibrium with land and give conditions under which introducing a pay-as-you-go system at an equilibrium would not lead to any Pareto improvement.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:spr:joecth:v:20:y:2002:i:1:p:1-27
Journal Field
Theory
Author Count
1
Added to Database
2026-01-25