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Relative Satisfaction and Welfare Maximizing Wealth Distribution

Author

Listed:
  • Coram Alex

    (The University of Western Australia)

  • Noakes Lyle

    (The University of Western Australia)

Abstract

Suppose individuals get utilities from the total amount of wealth they hold and from their wealth relative to those above and below them in a near neighbourhood. This paper studies the distribution of wealth that maximizes an additive welfare function made up of these utilities. It shows that the optimal distribution mostly requires an egalitarian solution if the concern is with those above. If the concern is with those below it has some unexpected properties.

Suggested Citation

  • Coram Alex & Noakes Lyle, 2009. "Relative Satisfaction and Welfare Maximizing Wealth Distribution," The B.E. Journal of Theoretical Economics, De Gruyter, vol. 9(2), pages 1-16, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:bejtec:v:9:y:2009:i:2:n:1
    DOI: 10.2202/1935-1704.1513
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