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Diverging Paths: Transition in the Presence of the Informal Sector

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  • Maxim Bouev

Abstract

This work suggests a development of the seminal model of transition from plan to market economy by Aghion and Blanchard (1994). We introduce an informal sector to show that its presence can generate qualitatively di?erent steady states, to which the economy converges in the end of transition. Two types of transitional dynamics are considered, and it is argued that they can help explain di?erences in evolution of formal and informal output exhibited, on the one hand, by East European countries and, on the other hand, by the former Soviet Union republics such as Russia or Ukraine.

Suggested Citation

  • Maxim Bouev, 2004. "Diverging Paths: Transition in the Presence of the Informal Sector," William Davidson Institute Working Papers Series 2004-689, William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan.
    • Handle: RePEc:wdi:papers:2004-689
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    Cited by:

    1. Maxim Bouev, 2005. "State Regulations, Job Search and Wage Bargaining: A Study in the Economics of the Informal Sector," William Davidson Institute Working Papers Series wp764, William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    optimal speed of transition; informal economy; search models;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J41 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Labor Contracts
    • J42 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Monopsony; Segmented Labor Markets
    • J64 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Unemployment: Models, Duration, Incidence, and Job Search
    • O17 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Formal and Informal Sectors; Shadow Economy; Institutional Arrangements
    • P29 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist and Transition Economies - - - Other

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