Inequality, leverage and crises

"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 financia...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Kumhof, Michael, Rancière, Romain
Institution:ETUI-European Trade Union Institute
Format: TEXT
Language:English
Published: Washington, DC 2010
IMF
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.labourline.org/KENTIKA-19183100124919013829-inequality,-leverage-and-crise.htm
Description
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."
Physical Description:37 p.
Digital