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The Optimum Allocation of Consumption of the Fisherian Shipwrecked Sailors

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  • Pavel Potužák

    (Prague University of Business and Ecoomics)

Abstract

The theory of interest of Irving Fisher was designed to explain positive, zero, and negative interest rate. One of the intertemporal equilibria with the zero interest is an economy with a given supply of hardtacks for shipwrecked sailors. Hardtacks can be fully saved for the future, but their stock cannot be enlarged by production. Fisher presented several streams of consumption of hardtacks over time. This paper shows that the Fisherian paths are not consistent with the dynamic optimization model. Different trajectories of the optimum consumption are calculated and sketched. Their shape depends on the value of the subjective discount rate, the intertemporal elasticity of substitution in consumption, and the lifetime horizon of the shipwrecked sailors. None of them resemble the original Fisher examples.

Suggested Citation

  • Pavel Potužák, 2021. "The Optimum Allocation of Consumption of the Fisherian Shipwrecked Sailors," International Journal of Economic Sciences, European Research Center, vol. 10(2), pages 115-126, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:aop:jijoes:v:10:y:2021:i:2:p:115-126
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. R. H. Strotz, 1955. "Myopia and Inconsistency in Dynamic Utility Maximization," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 23(3), pages 165-180.
    2. Olson, Mancur & Bailey, Martin J, 1981. "Positive Time Preference," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 89(1), pages 1-25, February.
    3. Paul A. Samuelson, 1937. "A Note on Measurement of Utility," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 4(2), pages 155-161.
    4. Pavel Potužák, 2016. "Fisher and Mises on Zero Interest: A Reconsideration," Prague Economic Papers, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2016(2), pages 203-220.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Time preference; theory of interest; Fisher;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B25 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought since 1925 - - - Historical; Institutional; Evolutionary; Austrian; Stockholm School
    • B53 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Current Heterodox Approaches - - - Austrian
    • E43 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Interest Rates: Determination, Term Structure, and Effects

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