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Pareto Weights in Practice: Income Inequality and Tax Reform

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  • Yongsung Chang

    (University of Rochester / Yonsei Univ.)

  • Sun-Bin Kim

    (Yonsei University)

  • Bo Hyun Chang

    (University of Rochester)

Abstract

We develop a quantitative, heterogeneous-agents general equilibrium model that reproduces the income inequalities of 31 countries in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. Using this model, we compute the optimal income tax rate for each country under the equal-weight utilitarian social welfare function. We simulate the voting outcome for the utilitarian optimal tax reform for each country. Finally, we uncover the Pareto weights in the social welfare functions of each country that justify the current redistribution policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Yongsung Chang & Sun-Bin Kim & Bo Hyun Chang, 2015. "Pareto Weights in Practice: Income Inequality and Tax Reform," 2015 Meeting Papers 224, Society for Economic Dynamics.
    • Handle: RePEc:red:sed015:224
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tauchen, George, 1986. "Finite state markov-chain approximations to univariate and vector autoregressions," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 20(2), pages 177-181.
    2. Yongsung Chang & Sun-Bin Kim, 2006. "From Individual To Aggregate Labor Supply: A Quantitative Analysis Based On A Heterogeneous Agent Macroeconomy ," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 47(1), pages 1-27, February.
    3. S. Rao Aiyagari, 1994. "Uninsured Idiosyncratic Risk and Aggregate Saving," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 109(3), pages 659-684.
    4. Marimon, Ramon & Scott, Andrew (ed.), 1999. "Computational Methods for the Study of Dynamic Economies," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198294979.
    5. Josep Pijoan-Mas, 2006. "Precautionary Savings or Working Longer Hours?," Review of Economic Dynamics, Elsevier for the Society for Economic Dynamics, vol. 9(2), pages 326-352, April.
    6. Javier Diaz-Gimenez & Andrew Glover & José-Víctor Ríos-Rull, 2011. "Facts on the distributions of earnings, income, and wealth in the United States: 2007 update," Quarterly Review, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.
    7. Unknown, 1986. "Letters," Choices: The Magazine of Food, Farm, and Resource Issues, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 1(4), pages 1-9.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Punzi, Maria Teresa & Rabitsch, Katrin, 2018. "Effectiveness of macroprudential policies under borrower heterogeneity," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 251-261.

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