11.04.2014 Views

Public Economics Lectures Part 1: Introduction

Public Economics Lectures Part 1: Introduction

Public Economics Lectures Part 1: Introduction

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

Rothschild-Stiglitz: Second Best Solution<br />

Result #1: no pooling equilibrium exists<br />

If H and L types are pooled in a contract α,low-risk types lose money<br />

in expectation.<br />

Zero-profit condition requires α 2 = 1−p<br />

p α 1 but p > p L .<br />

Low-risk type gets fewer dollars in state 2 than he should if the<br />

insurance were fair for him.<br />

Creates an opportunity for a new insurer to enter and “pick off” low<br />

risk types by offering slightly less insurance at a better price: higher<br />

c 1 , lower c 2<br />

Only low risk types switch, because they value c 1 more.<br />

<strong>Public</strong> <strong>Economics</strong> <strong>Lectures</strong> () <strong>Part</strong> 6: Social Insurance 18 / 207

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!