An intergenerational allocation is defined to be unjust if there is a feasible allocation with more total consumption and less relative inequality. Unjust allocations are characterized in technologies satisfying certain regularity conditions. After ruling out unjust allocations, the consequences of letting generations choose according to a standard form of altruistic preferences are explored into particular classes of technologies. A connection between excluding unjust allocations and maximizing the welfare of the worst off generation is established in these technologies.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Asheim, G.B. (1988), Rawlsian intergenerational justice as a Markov-perfect equilibrium in a resource technology, Review of Economic Studies 55, 469–483 (Chap. 6 of the present volume)
Beals, R. and Koopmans, T.C. (1969), Maximizing stationary utility in a constant technology, SIAM Journal of Applied Mathematics 17, 1001–1015
Birchenhall, C.R. and Grout, P. (1979), On equal plans with an infinite horizon, Journal of Economic Theory 21, 249–264
Blackorby, C. and Donaldson, D. (1984), Utility vs. equity: Some plausible quasi-orderings, Journal of Public Economics 7, 365–381
Calvo, G. (1978), Some notes on time inconsistency and RawlsŠmaximin criterion, Review of Economic Studies 45, 97–102
Cass, D. and Mitra, T. (1991), Indefinitely sustained consumption despite exhaustible natural resources, Economic Theory 1, 119–146
Dalton, H. (1920), The measurement of the inequality of incomes, Economic Journal 30, 348–361
Dasgupta, P.S. and Heal, G.M. (1974), The optimal depletion of exhaustible resources, Review of Economic Studies (Symposium), 3-28
Dasgupta, P.S. and Heal, G.M. (1979), Economic Theory and Exhaustible Resources. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK
Dasgupta, P.S., Sen, A. and Starrett, D. (1973), Notes on the measurement of inequality, Journal of Economic Theory 6, 180–187
Dasgupta, S. and Mitra, T. (1983), Intergenerational equity and efficient allocation of exhaustible Resources, International Economic Review 24, 133–153
Epstein, L.G. (1986a), Intergenerational consumption rules: An axiomatization of utilitarianism and egalitarianism, Journal of Economic Theory 38, 280–297
Epstein, L.G. (1986b), Intergenerational preference orderings, Social Choice and Welfare 3, 151–160
Ferejohn, J. and Page, T. (1978), On the foundation of intertemporal choice, American Journal of Agricultural Economics 60, 269–275
Harsanyi, J.C. (1955), Cardinal welfare, individualistic ethics, and interpersonal comparisons of utility, Journal of Political Economy 63, 309–321
Koopmans, T.C. (1967), Intertemporal distribution and optima1 aggregate economic growth, in Ten Economic Studies in the Tradition of Irving Fisher. Wiley, New York
Mishan, E. (1977), Economic criteria for intergenerational comparisons, Futures 9, 383–403
Page, T. (1977), Conservation and Economic Effiency. John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD
Rawls, J. (1971), Theory of Justice. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA
Rawls, J. (1988), The priority of right and ideas of the good, Public Affairs 17, 251–276
Ray, D. (1987), Nonpaternalistic intergenerational altruism, Journal of Economic Theory 41, 112–132
Sen, A.K. (1973), On Economic Inequality. Oxford University Press, London/New York
Sen, A.K. (1977), On weights and measures: Informational constraints in social welfare analysis, Econometrica 45, 1539–1572
Solow, R.M. (1974), Intergenerational equity and exhaustible resources, Review of Economic Studies (Symposium), 29-45
Svensson, L.G. (1980), Equity among generations, Econometrica 48, 1251–1256
Vickrey, W. (1945), Measuring marginal utility by reactions to risk, Econometrica 13, 319–333
von Weizsäcker, C.C. (1965), Existence of optimal program of accumulation for an infinite time horizon, Review of Economic Studies 32, 85–104
WCED (The World Commission on Environment and Development) (1987), Our Common Future. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2007 Springer
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
(2007). Unjust Intergenerational Allocations. In: Justifying, Characterizing and Indicating Sustainability. Sustainability, Economics, and Natural Resources, vol 3. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-6200-1_7
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-6200-1_7
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-6199-8
Online ISBN: 978-1-4020-6200-1
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceEarth and Environmental Science (R0)