Stéphane Rossignol

Is Inequality Harmful for the Environment in a Growing Economy

In this paper we investigate the relationship between inequality and the environment in a growing economy from a political economy perspective. We consider an endogenous growth economy, where growth generates pollution and a deterioration of the environment. Public expenditures may either be devoted to supporting growth or abating pollution. The decision over the public programs is done in a direct democracy, with simple majority rule. We prove that the median voter is decisive and show that inequality is harmful for the environment : the poorer the median voter relative to the average individual, the less she will tax and devote resources to the environment, preferring to support growth.

Sharp asymptotics for the multidimensional KPP equation

In this article sharp asymptotics for the solution of nonhomogeneous Kolmogorov, Petrovskii and Pisciunov equation depending on a small parameter are considered when the initial condition is the characteristic function of a set . We show how to extend the Ben Arous and Rouaults result that dealt with d=1 and the initial condition as the characteristic function of A={x[less-than-or-equals, slant]0}. The dependance of the asymptotics on the geometry of the boundary of A is precisely described for the problem with constraints.