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Economic growth and inequality: The role of public investment

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  • Turnovsky, Stephen J.

Abstract

The relationship between growth and inequality is complex. After discussing some general background issues, motivated by extensive empirical evidence this paper focuses on public investment as a key determinant of the relationship. Two alternative frameworks, each offering sharply contrasting perspectives, are presented. The first employs the “representative consumer theory of distribution” where agent heterogeneity originates with wealth endowments. It yields an equilibrium in which aggregate dynamics drives distributional dynamics. In the second, agent heterogeneity arises from idiosyncratic productivity shocks and generates an equilibrium in which distributional dynamics drive growth. The impact of government investment on growth and inequality are shown to contrast sharply in the two approaches, thus illustrating the complexity of the growth-inequality relationship.

Suggested Citation

  • Turnovsky, Stephen J., 2015. "Economic growth and inequality: The role of public investment," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 204-221.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:dyncon:v:61:y:2015:i:c:p:204-221
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jedc.2015.09.009
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    6. José Carlos Coelho & José Alves, 2021. "Two-way relationship between inequality and growth within fiscal policy channel: an empirical assessment for European countries," Working Papers REM 2021/0205, ISEG - Lisbon School of Economics and Management, REM, Universidade de Lisboa.
    7. Li, Bin & Li, Tuo & Yu, Man & Chen, Bin, 2017. "Can equalization of public services narrow the regional disparities in China? A spatial econometrics approach," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 67-78.
    8. Lim, G.C. & McNelis, Paul D., 2016. "Income growth and inequality: The threshold effects of trade and financial openness," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 403-412.
    9. Daniele Tavani & Luca Zamparelli, 2020. "Growth, income distribution, and the ‘entrepreneurial state’," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 30(1), pages 117-141, January.
    10. Anna Wichowska & Wiesława Lizińska, 2022. "Peculiarities of municipalities' investment activity: a case study of Eastern Poland," Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, VsI Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Center, vol. 9(3), pages 10-23, March.
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    15. Claudia Suárez‐Arbesú & Nicholas Apergis & Francisco J. Delgado, 2023. "Club convergence and factors of income inequality in the European Union," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(4), pages 3654-3666, October.
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