This paper analyzes aggregate wealth based on separable risk aversion and intertemporal substitution. In an infinite-period OG model with survival uncertainty, economic growth, and permanent and temporary income shocks, our closed-form solution permits us to derive rich behavioral conclusions and to assess the relative importance of the major components of aggregate wealth. In particular, the separation of the attitudes towards risk and substitution allows us to disentangle behaviors relating to the intertemporal substitution motive from behaviors relating to the precautionary motive.

This book answers a number of important questions about the distribution of wealth among people and the way that this distribution has changed over time. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the personal distribution of wealth from many dimensions: economic, statistical, ethical, political, sociological and legal. Using data from 21 countries, this book demonstrates how inequality in the distribution of wealth varies between different parts of the world and how it evolves, with particular emphasis on the claim that there has been a long-term and continued increase in inequality since the 1970s in most countries. It discusses alternative ways of measuring the degree of inequality, analyses Thomas Piketty's claim that society has become more unequal in recent decades, and assesses the relative importance of the various determinants of the distribution of wealth. The authors explain why the distribution of wealth is unequal, and discuss how it could be changed with alternative policies and the possible consequences of these policies for economic efficiency. The authors also compare the different distributions of wealth that are implied by alternative views of society. This is a valuable resource for students and academics in economics, political science and sociology seeking a state-of-the-art account of the theory and evidence surrounding inequality in the distribution of wealth.

Comparison of the determinants of national level savings and wealth - discusses the role of social security, private sector savings behaviour and capital formation patterns in market economies and planned economies; examines demographic aspects, consumption functions, effects in national accounts, and the measurement of investment in material and human capital; includes case studies from UK, Italy, Sweden, France, Poland and USSR. Graphs, references, statistical tables.