Differential Time and Money Pricing as a Mechanism for In-kind Redistribution

We propose a mechanism to implement the distributional goal of "specific egalitarianism", or that allocation of a good be independent of income, but increasing in relative strength of preference or need. Governments could offer the good at multiple "outlets" that charge different money and time prices. Individuals would self-select between outlets based on time opportunity cost. We show conditions under which differential pricing achieves specific egalitarianism more efficiently than uniform public provision funded from income tax, with or without optional private purchase. Differential pricing becomes more efficient than uniform provision as 1) the relative importance of the good rises, 2) the elasticity of substitution between goods falls, 3) variation in preferences increases and 4) income inequality rises or the proportion of the poor falls.In-kind provision; specific egalitarianism; differential pricing

Paying Vs. Waiting in the Pursuit of Specific Egalitarianism

We propose an allocation mechanism for publicly providing a private good such that the final allocation is simultaneously independent of income and increasing in strength of preference or need. The "pay or wait" mechanism consists of offering the good for sale at two outlets. The 'queuing' outlet would charge a low money price per unit, but high waiting timer per unit. The 'pricing' outlet would charge a relatively high money price with rapid service. High wage individuals will opt for the pricing outlet, and low wage individuals the queuing outlet. If the policy maker stocks the outlets in proportion to the distribution of high and low wage earners in the population, consumers of both wages will purchase the same amount on average, while those who value the good more relative to other goods will receive more of it. These outcomes are at risk if the good can be privately resold, but may be preserved if the policy maker can create transactions costs associated with resale.In-kind provision; redistribution; specific egalitarianism

The Effect of Neighbourhood Diversity on Volunteering: Evidence from New Zealand

An empirical literature has found that neighborhood heterogeneity lowers people's likelihood of contributing to public goods. We show that the estimated effect of any concave neighborhood characteristic on behavior may be biased when “large” rather than “small” neighborhoods are used. Large boundaries omit the effect of differences between small neighborhoods, biasing a characteristic's total effect even when the omitted differences lack economic effect. We next use three New Zealand census rounds to test whether volunteering rates are lowered by neighborhood heterogeneity by race/ethnicity, birthplace, income or language. We find boundaries matter, with only ethnic/racial heterogeneity robustly associated with lower volunteering.heterogeneity; neighbourhood effects; volunteering

Linear Systems over Join-Blank Algebras

A central problem of linear algebra is solving linear systems. Regarding linear systems as equations over general semirings (V,otimes,oplus,0,1) instead of rings or fields makes traditional approaches impossible. Earlier work shows that the solution space X(A;w) of the linear system Av = w over the class of semirings called join-blank algebras is a union of closed intervals (in the product order) with a common terminal point. In the smaller class of max-blank algebras, the additional hypothesis that the solution spaces of the 1x1 systems Av = w are closed intervals implies that X(A;w) is a finite union of closed intervals. We examine the general case, proving that without this additional hypothesis, we can still make X(A;w) into a finite union of quasi-intervals

Common Stochastic Trends, Common Cycles, and Asymmetry in Economic Fluctuations

We investigate the nature of asymmetries in U.S. business cycle dynamics using a dynamic two-factor model of output, investment, and consumption that incorporates both the common stochastic trend implied by neoclassical growth theory and a common transitory component. This framework allows for identification of both types of asymmetry commonly identified in the literature: 1. Shifts in the growth rate of the trend component and 2. Transitory deviations below trend, or "plucking". The model also lends itself easily to tests of the marginal significance of each type of asymmetry when the other is allowed to be present. Such tests suggest that both types of asymmetries have played a significant role in post-war recessions, although the nature of shifts in the growth rate of trend is different than the received literature suggests. We also allow for a one-time structural break in the long run growth rate of the common stochastic trend (a productivity slowdown) and in the magnitude of the asymmetry parameters. We find evidence of a productivity slowdown and an increase in the relative importance of shifts in the common stochastic trend vs. the "plucking" type of asymmetry. The evidence suggests a gradual structural break which begins in the mid 1960's and is complete by the end of 1973.

Common stochastic trends, common cycles, and asymmetry in economic fluctuations

This paper investigates the nature of U.S. business cycle asymmetry using a dynamic factor model of output, investment, and consumption. We identify a common stochastic trend and common transitory component by embedding the permanent income hypothesis within a simple growth model. Markov-switching in each component captures two types of asymmetry: Shifts in the growth rate of the common stochastic trend, having permanent effects, and "plucking" deviations from the common stochastic trend, having only transitory effects. Statistical tests suggest both asymmetries were present in post-war recessions, although the shifts in trend are less severe than found in the received literature.Business cycles ; Recessions

Is the Growing Skill Premium a Purely Metropolitan Issue?

This paper documents that virtually all of the growth in the skilled wage premium over the 1980’s in the United States was confined to metropolitan areas. Explanations for the growth in the skilled wage premium will therefore need to take location into account.Skilled wage premium; Metropolitan areas