An $H$ theorem for Boltzmann's equation for the Yard-Sale Model of asset exchange

Abstract

In recent work, Boltzmann and Fokker-Planck equations were derived for the "Yard-Sale Model" of asset exchange. For the version of the model without redistribution, it was conjectured, based on numerical evidence, that the time-asymptotic state of the model was oligarchy -- complete concentration of wealth by a single individual. In this work, we prove that conjecture by demonstrating that the Gini coefficient, a measure of inequality commonly used by economists, is an $H$ function of both the Boltzmann and Fokker-Planck equations for the model.