Destructive intergenerational altruism

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelfagfællebedømt

Are the probable future negative effects of climate change an argument for decreasing the discount rate to promote the interests of future generations? The analysis of the present paper suggests that such stronger intergenerational altruism might undermine future well-being if not complemented by collective climate action. In the standard one-sector model of economic growth normatively attractive outcomes will be implemented if each generation has sufficient altruism for its descendants. This conclusion is radically changed in a two-sector model where one form of capital is more productive than the other but leads to negative atmospheric externalities. In fact, the model shows that, if each dynasty is trying to get ahead in a world threatened by climate change by increasing its intergenerational altruism, then long-term well-being will be seriously undermined.
OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftJournal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists
Vol/bind3
Udgave nummer4
Sider (fra-til)957
Antal sider998
ISSN2333-5955
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2016

ID: 248161545