Poverty Traps and Business Cycles in a Stochastic Overlapping Generations Economy with S-Shaped Law of Motion

U of Copenhagen, Economics Discussion Paper No. 02-13

16 Pages Posted: 3 Dec 2002

See all articles by Klaus Reiner Schenk-Hoppé

Klaus Reiner Schenk-Hoppé

The University of Manchester - Department of Economics

Date Written: October 25, 2002

Abstract

This paper contributes to the understanding of stochastic economic dynamics with S-shaped law of motion. Applying random dynamical systems theory, we obtain a complete analysis of a stochastic OLG growth model. In the long-run the economy converges either to a state with no capital (poverty trap) or a sample path of a random fixed point (business cycle). The threshold capital stock separating both regimes is a random variable that depends on the future realization of the shocks; this critical level cannot be identified using past observations. Supply of outside capital therefore has an uncertain effect. Policy recommendations are given which cannot be obtained employing Markov equilibria. A numerical illustration is provided.

Keywords: S-shaped stochastic law of motion, random dynamical systems, poverty traps, business cycles, production shocks

JEL Classification: E32, C62, D91

Suggested Citation

Schenk-Hoppé, Klaus Reiner, Poverty Traps and Business Cycles in a Stochastic Overlapping Generations Economy with S-Shaped Law of Motion (October 25, 2002). U of Copenhagen, Economics Discussion Paper No. 02-13, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=346480 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.346480

Klaus Reiner Schenk-Hoppé (Contact Author)

The University of Manchester - Department of Economics ( email )

Arthur Lewis Building
Oxford Road
Manchester, M13 9PL
United Kingdom

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