Predation, Efficiency, and Inequality

Arbeitspapier

This paper analyzes a general-equilibrium model in which each person can choose to be either a producer or a predator. This model shows how predation breaks the link between the interpersonal distribution of productive resources and the interpersonal distribution of consumption. SpeciÞcally, we Þnd that in this model the Rawlsian criterion of maximizing the expected consumption of the least advantaged person selects an unegalitarian distribution of productive resources in which a positive fraction of people have only the minimum possible endowment of productive resources. Also, an egalitarian distribution of productive resources is not even Pareto efficient.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: Working Paper ; No. 1997-27

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Personal Income, Wealth, and Their Distributions ; General Equilibrium and Disequilibrium: General ; Welfare Economics: General ; Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Grossman, Herschel I. ; Kim, Minseong
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Brown University, Department of Economics
• (where): Providence, RI
• (when): 2002

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/102598
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:43 AM CET