Income Inequality and Current Account Imbalances PDF Download

Author: Mr.Michael Kumhof
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1463930577
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 44

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Book Description
This paper studies the empirical and theoretical link between increases in income inequality and increases in current account deficits. Cross-sectional econometric evidence shows that higher top income shares, and also financial liberalization, which is a common policy response to increases in income inequality, are associated with substantially larger external deficits. To study this mechanism we develop a DSGE model that features workers whose income share declines at the expense of investors. Loans to workers from domestic and foreign investors support aggregate demand and result in current account deficits. Financial liberalization helps workers smooth consumption, but at the cost of higher household debt and larger current account deficits. In emerging markets, workers cannot borrow from investors, who instead deploy their surplus funds abroad, leading to current account surpluses instead of deficits.

Author: Michael Kumhof
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 46

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Book Description
This paper studies the empirical and theoretical link between increases in income inequality and increases in current account deficits. Cross-sectional econometric evidence shows that higher top income shares, and also financial liberalization, which is a common policy response to increases in income inequality, are associated with substantially larger external deficits. To study this mechanism we develop a DSGE model that features workers whose income share declines at the expense of investors. Loans to workers from domestic and foreign investors support aggregate demand and result in current account deficits. Financial liberalization helps workers smooth consumption, but at the cost of higher household debt and larger current account deficits. In emerging markets, workers cannot borrow from investors, who instead deploy their surplus funds abroad, leading to current account surpluses instead of deficits.

Author: Mr.Michael Kumhof
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1455210757
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 39

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Book Description
The paper studies how high leverage and crises can arise as a result of changes in the income distribution. Empirically, the periods 1920-1929 and 1983-2008 both exhibited a large increase in the income share of the rich, a large increase in leverage for the remainder, and an eventual financial and real crisis. The paper presents a theoretical model where these features arise endogenously as a result of a shift in bargaining powers over incomes. A financial crisis can reduce leverage if it is very large and not accompanied by a real contraction. But restoration of the lower income group's bargaining power is more effective.

Author: Ms. Era Dabla-Norris
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1513547437
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 33

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Book Description
This paper analyzes the extent of income inequality from a global perspective, its drivers, and what to do about it. The drivers of inequality vary widely amongst countries, with some common drivers being the skill premium associated with technical change and globalization, weakening protection for labor, and lack of financial inclusion in developing countries. We find that increasing the income share of the poor and the middle class actually increases growth while a rising income share of the top 20 percent results in lower growth—that is, when the rich get richer, benefits do not trickle down. This suggests that policies need to be country specific but should focus on raising the income share of the poor, and ensuring there is no hollowing out of the middle class. To tackle inequality, financial inclusion is imperative in emerging and developing countries while in advanced economies, policies should focus on raising human capital and skills and making tax systems more progressive.

Author: Mr.Martin Cihak
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1513526545
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 50

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Book Description
The study examines empirical relationships between income inequality and three features of finance: depth (financial sector size relative to the economy), inclusion (access to and use of financial services by individuals and firms), and stability (absence of financial distress). Using new data covering a wide range of countries, the analysis finds that the financial sector can play a role in reducing inequality, complementing redistributive fiscal policy. By expanding the provision of financial services to low-income households and small businesses, it can serve as a powerful lever in helping create a more inclusive society but—if not well managed—it can amplify inequalities.

Author: Mai Dao
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1513546066
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 32

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Book Description
This paper explores the interaction between corporate ownership concentration and private savings, and by extension, the current account balance in Germany. As high corporate savings largely reflected capital income accruing to wealthy households and increasingly retained in closely-held firms, the buildup of external imbalances in Germany has been accompanied by widening top income inequality, rising private savings and compressed consumption rates. Rising corporate profits in an environment of high business wealth concentration account for 90 percent of the rise in the private savings rate and a third of the increase in the German current account surplus over 1999–2016.

Author: Branko Milanovi?
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN:
Category : Equality
Languages : en
Pages : 35

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Book Description
"The paper presents a nontechnical summary of the current state of debate on the measurement and implications of global inequality (inequality between citizens of the world). It discusses the relationship between globalization and global inequality. And it shows why global inequality matters and proposes a scheme for global redistribution. "--World Bank web site.

Author: Lucas Chancel
Publisher: Harvard University Press
ISBN: 0674273567
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 267

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Book Description
World Inequality Report 2022 is the most authoritative and comprehensive account of global trends in inequality, providing cutting-edge information about income and wealth inequality and also pioneering data about the history of inequality, gender inequality, environmental inequalities, and trends in international tax reform and redistribution.

Author: Pablo G. Bortz
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
ISBN: 1784715018
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 224

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Book Description
The growing levels of income inequality, an explosion of global financial flows, and a worldwide decline of economic growth have combined to challenge accepted economic wisdom. Utilizing a heterodox approach, Pablo G. Bortz provides a fresh look for understanding the interaction between these three factors while identifying challenges and possible alternatives for an expansionary and progressive economic policy. Reviewing several schools of thought, Inequality, Growth and ‘Hot’ Money explores the risks generated by capital flows and the limitations they impose on progressive economic policies. Professor Bortz then provides instruments and alternatives to pursue an expansionary and equalitarian program, including theoretical contributions to enrich heterodox and progressive economics. Standout features of this book include a review of the challenges that financial flows pose for developing countries; a redefinition of the role of capital controls; a policy approach that separates interest rate policies from a broader credit policy; and a rejection of the negative relationship between a more egalitarian income distribution and sustained economic expansion. Expanding the Kaleckian approach to include financial flows, this accessible introduction to heterodox growth models will be appreciated by graduate students and committed heterodox economists. Research departments at official institutions such as central banks may also be interested, specifically in the book’s models and policy prescription.

Author: Matthew C. Klein
Publisher: Yale University Press
ISBN: 0300244177
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 292

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Book Description
"This is a very important book."--Martin Wolf, Financial TimesA provocative look at how today's trade conflicts are caused by governments promoting the interests of elites at the expense of workers Longlisted for the 2020 Financial Times & McKinsey Business Book of the Year Award "Worth reading for [the authors'] insights into the history of trade and finance."--George Melloan, Wall Street Journal Trade disputes are usually understood as conflicts between countries with competing national interests, but as Matthew C. Klein and Michael Pettis show, they are often the unexpected result of domestic political choices to serve the interests of the rich at the expense of workers and ordinary retirees. Klein and Pettis trace the origins of today's trade wars to decisions made by politicians and business leaders in China, Europe, and the United States over the past thirty years. Across the world, the rich have prospered while workers can no longer afford to buy what they produce, have lost their jobs, or have been forced into higher levels of debt. In this thought-provoking challenge to mainstream views, the authors provide a cohesive narrative that shows how the class wars of rising inequality are a threat to the global economy and international peace--and what we can do about it.