Abstract

The quasi-geometric (hyperbolic) literature typically assumes that agents are short-run impatient. In this paper, we deviate from this assumption by considering an economy in which a fraction of the population is short-run patient and the remaining population is short-run impatient. In a calibrated version of a neoclassical growth model with uninsurable risk and liquidity constraints, we find that the presence of few short-run patient and many short-run impatient agents leads to empirically plausible degrees of wealth inequality.

Recommended Citation

Lilia Maliar and Serguei Maliar (2007) "Short-Run Patience and Wealth Inequality", Studies in Nonlinear Dynamics & Econometrics: Vol. 11: No. 1, Article 4.
http://www.bepress.com/snde/vol11/iss1/art4