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Misallocation of Talent and Human Capital: Political Economy Analysis

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  • Gradstein, Mark

Abstract

Mismatches in the labor market, specifically because of underrepresentation of various population groups, carry significant economic cost. In this paper we argue, using a simple analytical model, that an additional cost component is related to the effect of such underrepresentation on incentives to invest in human capital, which results in a mutual feedback relationship between the labor market and the skill acquisition market and may lead to economy’s divergence. Further, under increasing returns to scale in human capital, it is shown that an initially advantaged group has an incentive to minimize the bias against the disadvantaged group, and that political enfranchisement is the means to achieve a commitment to such a policy. It is argued that this is consistent with empirical regularities.

Suggested Citation

  • Gradstein, Mark, 2019. "Misallocation of Talent and Human Capital: Political Economy Analysis," CEPR Discussion Papers 13574, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:13574
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    Cited by:

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    3. Almarina Gramozi & Theodore Palivos & Marios Zachariadis, 2020. "On the Degree and Consequences of Talent Misallocation for the United States," University of Cyprus Working Papers in Economics 09-2020, University of Cyprus Department of Economics.
    4. Mark Gradstein, 2022. "Cultural Attributes, Income Inequality, and Ethnic Differentials," Review of Economic Dynamics, Elsevier for the Society for Economic Dynamics, vol. 44, pages 91-103, April.
    5. Debora Di Gioacchino & Laura Sabani & Stefano Usai, 2022. "Intergenerational Upward (Im)mobility and Political Support of Public Education Spending," Italian Economic Journal: A Continuation of Rivista Italiana degli Economisti and Giornale degli Economisti, Springer;Società Italiana degli Economisti (Italian Economic Association), vol. 8(1), pages 49-76, March.

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