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The distributional consequences of rent‐seeking

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  • Angelos Angelopoulos
  • Konstantinos Angelopoulos
  • Spyridon Lazarakis
  • Apostolis Philippopoulos

Abstract

We analyze the distributional effects of rent‐seeking via the financial sector in a model calibrated to US data. Rent‐seeking implies a misallocation of resources that increases wealth inequality among non‐rent‐seekers and for the whole economy. A deterioration in institutional quality implying more rent‐seeking leads to welfare losses for non‐rent‐seekers, especially for those with higher earnings and initial wealth, because they are most affected by the deterioration of the aggregate economy. On the other hand, welfare gains are larger for rent seekers with higher earnings and wealth, who have an increased resource extraction capacity.

Suggested Citation

  • Angelos Angelopoulos & Konstantinos Angelopoulos & Spyridon Lazarakis & Apostolis Philippopoulos, 2021. "The distributional consequences of rent‐seeking," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 59(4), pages 1616-1640, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ecinqu:v:59:y:2021:i:4:p:1616-1640
    DOI: 10.1111/ecin.13009
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    3. Keen, Benjamin D. & Strong, Christine O., 2023. "Optimal fiscal and monetary policy in a model with government corruption," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 58(PB).
    4. Xiaoshan Chen & Spyridon Lazarakis & Petros Varthalitis, 2023. "Debt targets and fiscal consolidation in a two country HANK model: the case of Euro Area," Working Papers 2023_02, Durham University Business School.

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