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Why invest in your neighbor? Social contract on educational investment

Author

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  • Poutvaara, Panu
  • Kanniainen, Vesa

Abstract

It may be in the interest of low-ability individuals to subsidize theeducation of high-ability individuals. The sufficient conditions aresurprisingly mild: positive externalities in education andcomplementarity in production between human capital and labor suppliedby the low-ability individuals. However, tax competition and the freemobility of the educated give rise to time-inconsistency and free-ridingproblems which render such a social contract infeasible and result in asuboptimally low investment in education.

Suggested Citation

  • Poutvaara, Panu & Kanniainen, Vesa, 2000. "Why invest in your neighbor? Social contract on educational investment," Munich Reprints in Economics 19797, University of Munich, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:lmu:muenar:19797
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rehme, G., 1999. "Public Policies and Education, Economic Growth and Income Distribution," Economics Working Papers eco99/14, European University Institute.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H2 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue
    • H52 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Education
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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