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Quarterly Journal of Economics Vol. 112 No. 1 1997

Marriage and Class

K. Burdett; M. G. Coles

University of Essex

Abstract

Here we consider a matching model where agents are heterogeneous and utilities nontransferable. We utilize this framework to study how equilibrium sorting takes place in marriage markets. We impose conditions that guarantee the existence of a steady state equihbrium and then characterize it. Several examples are developed to illustrate the richness of equilibria. The model reveals an interesting sorting externality that can support multiple steady state equilibria, even with constant returns to matching.

DOI
10.1162/003355397555154
Volume
112
Issue
1
Pages
141-168
Language
en
Sources
bibtex:phds-export.bib openalex crossref

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