Time Preferences and Bargaining

Schweighofer-Kodritsch, Sebastian (2017): Time Preferences and Bargaining. Collaborative Research Center Transregio 190, Discussion Paper No. 38

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of general time preferences in the canonical Rubinstein (1982) model of bargaining, allowing for arbitrarily history-dependent strategies. I derive a simple sufficient structure for optimal punishments and thereby fully characterize (i) the set of equilibrium outcomes for any given preference profile, and (ii) the set of preference profiles for which equilibrium is unique. Based on this characterization, I establish that a weak notion of present bias - implied, e.g., by any hyperbolic or quasi-hyperbolic discounting - is sufficient for equilibrium to be unique, stationary and efficient. Conversely, I demonstrate how certain violations of present bias give rise to multiple (non-stationary) equilibria that feature delayed agreement under gradually increasing offers.

• Dokumententyp: Paper
• Keywords: time preferences; dynamic inconsistency; alternating offers; bargaining; optimal punishments; delay
• Fakultät: Volkswirtschaft > Collaborative Research Center Transregio "Rationality and Competition"
• Themengebiete: 300 Sozialwissenschaften > 330 Wirtschaft
• JEL Classification: C78, D03, D74
• Sprache: Englisch