Inequality, Leverage and Crises

November 1, 2010

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Format: Chicago

Romain Ranciere, and Michael Kumhof. Inequality, Leverage and Crises, (USA: International Monetary Fund, 2010) accessed December 3, 2024

Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary

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.

Subject: Consumption, Financial crises, Income, Income inequality, Wages

Keywords: Capital stock, Physical capital, WP

Publication Details

Pages:

37
Volume:

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DOI:

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Issue:

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Series:

Working Paper No. 2010/268
Stock No:

WPIEA2010268
ISBN:

9781455210756
ISSN:

1018-5941

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