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Quarterly Journal of Economics Vol. 100 No. Supplement 1985

An Equilibrium Analysis of Optimal Unemployment Insurance and Taxation

David Easley; Nicholas M. Kiefer; U. Possen

Cornell University

Abstract

A two-person, two-period general equilibrium model with uncertainty about second-period labor productivity is developed. The model is used to consider potential welfare (Pareto) gains from both a stylized unemployment insurance system and from a negative income tax system. Welfare gains are possible if individuals are sufficiently homogeneous. When both programs are operated simultaneously, complete insurance is always feasible but is optimal only if the labor supply curve is negatively sloped.

DOI
10.1093/qje/100.supplement.989
Volume
100
Issue
Supplement
Pages
989-1010
Language
en
Sources
openalex crossref

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