Characterizing the sustainability problem in an exhaustible resource model

By: Geir Bjarne Asheim with T. Mitra, W. Buchholz, and C. Withagen

Published in:

Journal of Economic Theory 148: 2164–2182
 

Abstract

The Dasgupta-Heal-Solow-Stiglitz model of capital accumulation and resource depletion poses the following sustainability problem: is it feasible to sustain indefinitely a level of consumption that is bounded away from zero? We provide a complete technological characterization of the sustainability problem in this model without reference to the time path. As a byproduct we show general existence of a maximin optimal path under weaker conditions that those employed in previous work. Our proofs yield new insights into the meaning and significance of Hartwick's reinvestment rule.

Published June 24, 2014 12:59 PM - Last modified Oct. 6, 2020 10:55 AM