|
on Central Banking |
| By: | John B. Taylor |
| Abstract: | This paper shows that the monetary policy paradigm that was in place before the financial crisis worked very well and that the crisis occurred only after policy makers deviated from that paradigm. The paper also evaluates monetary policy during the financial crisis by dividing the crisis into three periods: pre-panic, panic and post-panic. It shows that the extraordinary measures did not work well in the pre-panic or the post-panic periods; instead they helped bring on the panic, even though they may have some positive impact during the panic. The implication of the paper is that the crisis does not call for a new paradigm for monetary policy. |
| Keywords: | financial crisis, monetary policy rule, Taylor rule, quantitative easing |
| JEL: | E43 E52 E58 |
| Date: | 2010 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sec:cnstan:0402&r=cba |
| By: | Galí, Jordi (CREI and Universitat Pompeu Fabra); van Rens, Thijs (CREI and Universitat Pompeu Fabra) |
| Abstract: | We document three changes in postwar US macroeconomic dynamics: (i) the procyclicality of labor productivity has vanished, (ii) the relative volatility of employment has risen, and (iii) the relative (and absolute) volatility of the real wage has risen. We propose an explanation for all three changes that is based on a common source: a decline in labor market frictions. We develop a simple model with labor market frictions, variable effort, and endogenous wage rigidities to illustrate the mechanisms underlying our explanation. We show that the reduction in frictions may also have contributed to the observed decline in output volatility. |
| Keywords: | wage rigidities, labor market frictions, labor hoarding, effort choice |
| JEL: | E24 E32 |
| Date: | 2010–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp5099&r=cba |
| By: | Klaus Adam |
| Abstract: | This paper studies optimal stabilisation policies under commitment when monetary policy sets nominal interest rates and fiscal policy decides on public expenditure, income tax rates, and issuance of nominal non-contingent debt. High levels of government debt adversely affect the steady state of the economy and increase aggregate volatility. The latter emerges because debt exposes the government budget to real interest rate risk and thereby induces stronger volatility of taxes and public spending. The optimal variability of fiscal deficits is found to increase with the level of government debt, while the optimal variability of nominal interest rates decreases. Overall, optimal stabilisation policy does not require annual fiscal deficits to deviate by more than 3 percentage points of GDP from their steady state value or nominal interest rates to fall all the way to zero. Only if the standard deviation of economic disturbances is two to three times larger than suggested by post-war evidence do such events occur with non-negligible probability.<P>Politique optimale de stabilisation monétaire et budgétaire<BR>Cet article étudie la politique optimale de stabilisation dans des conditions telles que la politique monétaire fixe les taux d’intérêt nominaux et la politique budgétaire détermine les dépenses publiques, les taux de l’impôt sur les revenus et l’émission de la dette nominale non contingente. Un niveau élevé d’endettement public a des effets négatifs sur l’état stationnaire de l’économie et accroît la volatilité globale. Cette volatilité tient à ce que la dette expose le budget de l’État à un risque de taux d’intérêt réel et provoque donc une plus grande instabilité de l’impôt et des dépenses publiques. On constate que la variabilité optimale des déficits budgétaires s’accroît en fonction du niveau de la dette publique, contrairement à la variabilité des taux d’intérêt nominaux, qui diminue. Au total, une politique optimale de stabilisation n’exige pas que le déficit budgétaire annuel s’écarte de plus de 3 points de PIB de sa valeur à l’état stationnaire, ni que les taux d’intérêt nominaux tombent totalement à zéro. C’est seulement si l’écart type des perturbations économiques est deux à trois fois supérieur aux résultats observés depuis la fin de la guerre que de tels événements se produisent, avec une probabilité non négligeable. |
| Keywords: | government spending, Ramsey optimal policy, non-contingent government debt, distortionary taxes, interest rate policy, dépenses publiques, Politique optimale de Ramsey, dette publique non contingente, distorsions fiscales, politique de taux d’intérêt |
| JEL: | E32 E63 |
| Date: | 2010–05–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:ecoaaa:765-en&r=cba |
| By: | Bernardino Adão; Isabel Horta Correia; Pedro Teles |
| Abstract: | We show that short and long nominal interest rates are independent monetary policy instruments. The pegging of both helps solving the problem of multiplicity that arises when only short rates are used as the instrument of policy. A peg of the nominal returns on assets of different maturities is equivalent to a peg of state-contingent interest rates. These are the rates that should be targeted in order to implement unique equilibria. At the zero bound, while it is still possible to target state-contingent interest rates, that is no longer equivalent to the target of the term structure. |
| JEL: | E3 E4 E5 |
| Date: | 2010 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ptu:wpaper:w201015&r=cba |
| By: | Federico RAVENNA (IEA, HEC Montréal); Carl E. WALSH |
| Abstract: | We explore the distortions in business cycle models arising from inefficiencies in price setting and in the search process matching firms to unemployed workers, and the implications of these distortions for monetary policy. To this end, we characterize the tax instruments that would implement the first best equilibrium allocations and then examine the trade-offs faced by monetary policy when these tax instruments are unavailable. Our findings are that the welfare cost of search inefficiency can be large, but the incentive for policy to deviate from the inefficient flexible-price allocation is in general small. Sizable welfare gains are available if the steady state of the economy is inefficient, and these gains do not depend on the existence of an inefficient dispersion of wages. Finally, the gains from deviating from price stability are larger in economies with more volatile labor flows, as in the U.S. |
| JEL: | E52 E58 J64 |
| Date: | 2010–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iea:carech:1001&r=cba |
| By: | Douglas Sutherland; Peter Hoeller; Balázs Égert; Oliver Röhn |
| Abstract: | What changes are needed to make counter-cyclical economic policy more effective in the aftermath of the recent crisis? An important lesson from the severity of the recent recession is that policy in various areas will have to be more prudent during upswings and to build in greater safety margins to be able to react to large adverse shocks. In the period leading up to the crisis, cycles became more synchronised, while asset prices became more volatile. Recent events also underline the difficulties encountered in detecting and reacting to asset price misalignments. The confluence of the turn in asset prices, financial market crisis and slump in trade challenged the ability of counter-cyclical policies to cope with the severe downturn, although experience reveals that countries where the fiscal position was sound and inflation under control were better able to cushion the shocks. Furthermore, robust micro-prudential regulation can help the financial sector withstand shocks. In this light, existing policies should be strengthened to ensure that there is room for manoeuvre going into a downturn. In order to deal with similar shocks in the future, macroeconomic and financial sector policies should consider precautionary policy settings and macro-prudential regulation to address systemic threats to stability.<P>Politique économique contracyclique<BR>Quels changements sont necessaires pour que la politique economique contracyclique soit plus efficace a l.issue de la crise ? On peut tirer une lecon essentielle de la recession recente : il faudra que, dans plusieurs domaines, la politique economique soit plus prudente en periode d.expansion et comporte plus de marges de securite pour pouvoir reagir a un choc de grande ampleur. Avant la crise, on a pu observer une plus grande synchronisation des cycles et une plus forte volatilite des prix des actifs. Les evenements recents mettent egalement en lumiere les difficultes rencontrees pour detecter les dephasages des prix des actifs et pour y reagir. La conjonction d.un retournement des prix des actifs, d.une crise financiere et d.un effondrement des echanges fait que les mesures contracycliques n.ont plus ete a meme de contrecarrer une profonde recession. Cela etant, l.experience montre que les pays dont les finances publiques etaient saines et l.inflation maitrisee ont pu mieux amortir les chocs. De plus, une solide reglementation microprudentielle peut aider le secteur financier a resister en cas de choc. C.est pourquoi il faudrait renforcer les politiques actuelles pour conserver une marge de manoeuvre face a une recession. Pour parer a des chocs similaires a l.avenir, les mesures macroeconomiques et celles applicables au secteur financier devraient s.appuyer sur un cadre d.action guide par la precaution et sur une reglementation macroprudentielle afin d.ecarter les menaces pour la stabilite qui ont un caractere systemique. |
| Keywords: | macroeconomic policies, financial sector regulation, politique macro-économique, réglementation du secteur financier |
| JEL: | E61 G28 |
| Date: | 2010–05–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:ecoaaa:760-en&r=cba |
| By: | Makoto Minegishi; Boris Cournède |
| Abstract: | Central banks have responded with exceptional vigour to the crisis by using their traditional interest-rate tools to their limits and deploying a wide range of unconventional measures. This paper documents these responses in a systematic way, reviews the evidence about their impact, and discusses the need to exit from these measures. Unconventional monetary policy measures appear to have been broadly successful in terms of improving conditions in financial markets and stabilising the real economy. In line with the improvement in functioning of financial markets, however, these unconventional measures should be gradually removed. Given the considerable changes in the size and composition of central banks' balance sheets, the exit will likely involve the combination of various tools. More challenging questions surround the decisions of when and how fast the current exceptional amount of stimulus should be reduced and then eliminated. A particularly important goal will be to preserve the hard-won anchoring of inflation expectations and dissipate any hypothetical fears that central banks? greater risk exposure and purchases of bonds issued or backed by governments might have reduced their independence regarding monetary policy decisions.<P>Réponses de la politique monétaire à la crise et stratégies de sortie<BR>Les banques centrales ont répondu avec une vigueur exceptionnelle à la crise en poussant leurs instruments traditionnels de taux d'intérêt jusqu'à leurs limites et en déployant une vaste gamme de mesures non conventionnelles. La présente étude fournit une description systématique de ces mesures, fait le bilan des éléments disponibles permettant d'apprécier leur efficacité et examine le besoin de mettre progressivement fin à ces dispositifs. Dans l'ensemble, les mesures de politique monétaire non conventionnelle semblent avoir été couronnées de succès en contribuant à l'amélioration des conditions financières et à la stabilisation de l'économie réelle. Toutefois, au fur et à mesure que les marchés financiers retrouvent un fonctionnement plus normal, ces mesures non conventionnelles devront être retirées. Étant donné l'ampleur des changements qui ont affecté la taille et la composition du bilan des banques centrales, les stratégies de sortie devront nécessairement s'appuyer sur un large éventail d'instruments. Des questions plus délicates encore se poseront lorsqu'il s'agira de décider du calendrier et du rythme selon lesquels l'exceptionnel stimulus monétaire actuel devra être réduit puis éliminé. À cet égard, il sera crucial de préserver l'ancrage, durement acquis, des anticipations d'inflation et d'éviter une situation hypothétique dans laquelle le public craindrait que la plus grande exposition au risque des banques centrales tout comme leurs acquisitions de titres de dette publique ou quasi-publique puissent avoir réduit leur indépendance dans la conduite de la politique monétaire. |
| Keywords: | monetary policy, financial crisis, exit strategies, unconventional policy, politique monétaire, crise financière, stratégies de sortie, mesures non conventionnelles |
| JEL: | E31 E42 E44 E50 E51 E52 E58 |
| Date: | 2010–02–18 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:ecoaaa:753-en&r=cba |
| By: | Kamber, Gunes (Reserve Bank of New Zealand); Millard, Stephen (Bank of England) |
| Abstract: | This paper aims to contribute to our understanding of inflation dynamics in the United Kingdom by estimating two dynamic stochastic general equilibrium models and assessing the role of nominal and real rigidities within them. We first obtain an empirical representation of the monetary transmission mechanism in the United Kingdom and then estimate the models by minimising the difference between this representation and its model equivalents. We find that both models can explain the data reasonably well without relying on undue amounts of price and wage stickiness. |
| Keywords: | Minimum distance estimation; DSGE models; Nominal and real rigidities |
| JEL: | E31 E52 |
| Date: | 2010–07–27 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:boe:boeewp:0396&r=cba |
| By: | Liu, Philip (International Monetary Fund); Mumtaz, Haroon (Bank of England) |
| Abstract: | This paper carries out a systematic investigation into the possibility of structural shifts in the UK economy using a Markov-switching dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model. We find strong evidence for shifts in the structural parameters of several equations of the DSGE model. In addition, our results indicate that the volatility of structural shocks has also changed over time. However, a version of the model that allows for a change in the coefficients of the Taylor rule and shock volatilities provides the best model fit. Estimates from the selected DSGE model suggest that the mid-1970s were associated with a regime characterised by a smaller reaction by the monetary authorities to inflation developments. |
| Keywords: | Markov switching; DSGE; Bayesian estimation |
| JEL: | E23 E32 |
| Date: | 2010–07–27 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:boe:boeewp:0397&r=cba |
| By: | Giorgio Motta; Patrizio Tirelli |
| Abstract: | Christiano et al. (2005) have shown that a standard medium-sized DSGE model can successfully replicate VAR IRFs to a money supply shock. This important result vanishes under limited asset market partic- ipation. Further, even a moderate fraction of constrained consumers is su¢ cient to dampen the real interest rate reaction to inflation, thereby causeing instability. The introduction of a simple fiscal automatic sta- bilizer restores stability and improves the dynamic performance of the model. |
| Keywords: | Rule of Thumb Consumers, DSGE, Determinacy, Limited Asset, Market Participation |
| JEL: | E52 |
| Date: | 2010–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mib:wpaper:193&r=cba |
| By: | Nutahara, Kengo |
| Abstract: | A recent study shows that equilibrium indeterminacy arises if monetary policy responds to asset prices, especially share prices, in a sticky-price economy. We show that equilibrium indeterminacy never arises if the working capital of firms is subject to their asset values by financial frictions. |
| Keywords: | asset prices; financial frictions; equilibrium indeterminacy; monetary policy; sticky prices |
| JEL: | E32 E52 E44 C62 |
| Date: | 2010–04–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:24113&r=cba |
| By: | Paul McCulley |
| Abstract: | The developed world faces a cyclical deficiency of aggregate demand, the product of a liquidity trap and the paradox of thrift, in the context of headwinds born of ongoing structural realignments. According to Paul McCulley, PIMCO, front-loaded fiscal austerity would only add to that deflationary cocktail. This is why the market vigilantes are fleeing risk assets, which depend on growth for valuation support, rather than the sovereign debt of fiat-currency countries. McCulley bases his outlook on the financial balances approach (double-entry bookkeeping) pioneered by the late Wynne Godley, who was a distinguished scholar at the Levy Institute. Godley’s analytical framework, says McCulley, should be the workhorse of discussions on global rebalancing. |
| Date: | 2010–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:lev:levypn:10-02&r=cba |
| By: | Wetherilt, Anne (Bank of England); Zimmerman, Peter (Bank of England); Soramaki, Kimmo (Helsinki University of Technology) |
| Abstract: | We model the unsecured overnight market in the United Kingdom as a network of relationships and examine how the structure has changed over the recent period of crisis. Using established network techniques, we find strong evidence of the existence of a core of highly connected banks alongside a periphery. We find that membership of this core expanded during the crisis and suggest that this is due to a few intermediate banks becoming more connected. The widened reserve target bands may have also had an effect, by partially alleviating the need to manage reserve accounts close to a target and therefore allowing banks to exercise more discretion in forming relationships. However, there is an asymmetry between borrowers and lenders in the overnight market, with borrowers more reliant on the most established of the core banks during the crisis. |
| Keywords: | Network; topology; interbank; unsecured loan; systemic risk; financial stability. |
| JEL: | D85 E58 G21 |
| Date: | 2010–07–29 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:boe:boeewp:0398&r=cba |
| By: | Stolz, Stéphanie Marie; Wedow, Michael |
| Abstract: | The extensive public support measures for the financial sector have been key for the management of the current financial crisis. This paper gives a detailed description of the measures taken by central banks and governments and attempts a preliminary assessment of the effectiveness of such measures. The geographical focus of the paper is on the European Union (EU) and the United States. The crisis response in both regions has been largely similar in terms of both tools and scope, and monetary policy actions and bank rescue measures have become increasingly intertwined. However, there are important differences, not only between the EU and the United States (e.g. with regard to the involvement of the central bank), but also within the EU (e.g. asset relief schemes). -- |
| Keywords: | Bank rescue measures,public crisis management |
| JEL: | E58 E61 G21 G38 |
| Date: | 2010 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:bubdp1:201013&r=cba |
| By: | Douglas Sutherland |
| Abstract: | Monetary policy reaction functions can provide insights into the factors influencing monetary policy decisions. Empirical estimates suggest that differences exist across countries as to whether monetary policy reacts solely to expected inflation or also takes into account expected output developments. A range of other factors, such as monetary policy in large economies, can also influence monetary policy reactions in smaller ones. On the other hand, monetary policy has reacted less to contemporaneous measures of the output gap, while asset price developments do not generally appear to have influenced monetary policy decisions.<P>Les fonctions de réaction de la politique monétaire dans la zone de l’OCDE<BR>Les fonctions de réaction de la politique monétaire peuvent utilement éclairer les facteurs qui influent sur les décisions de politique monétaire. Les estimations empiriques montrent qu’il y a des différences d’un pays à l’autre sur le point de savoir si la politique monétaire réagit uniquement à l’inflation anticipée, ou prend également en compte l’évolution prévisible de la production. Plusieurs autres facteurs, notamment la politique monétaire des grandes économies, peut également influer sur les réactions de politique monétaire dans les petites économies. En revanche, la politique monétaire a moins réagi aux mesures instantanées de l’écart de production et l’évolution des prix des actifs ne paraît pas en général avoir influencé les décisions de politique monétaire. |
| Keywords: | monetary policy, asset prices, output gap, politique budgétaire, prix des actifs, écart de production |
| JEL: | E42 |
| Date: | 2010–05–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:ecoaaa:761-en&r=cba |
| By: | Javier Suarez (CEMFI, Centro de Estudios Monetarios y Financieros) |
| Abstract: | This paper reviews the background and key policy challenges of the current situation of the Spanish economy. It describes the strengths and weaknesses of Spain's recent long growth cycle, the real and financial imbalances accumulated towards its end, and the troubles faced at the current stage. Particular attention is paid to the developments in private and public sector finances and, specifically, to their implications for the banking sector. Attention is also paid to the political-economy background, especially in regards to the undertaking of structural reforms. It is argued that recent external pressure, partly initiated by unjustified catastrophic expectations about Spain, provides an opportunity for accelerating the reforms needed to resumen strong growth. |
| Date: | 2010–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cmf:wpaper:wp2010_1005&r=cba |
| By: | Robert Price |
| Abstract: | This paper explores the political economy of fiscal adjustment. It begins with an examination of the evidence for, and sources of, ‘deficit bias’, including political and governance factors, public attitudes, the role of financial markets and imprecision about which debt targets should be pursued. It then examines the evidence regarding the exogenous and policy-related factors which affect the success of fiscal consolidation efforts. This is followed by a discussion of the role of fiscal institutions, including fiscal rules and autonomous agencies. The final section considers how the political economy of fiscal policy has changed with the financial crisis, giving some indications as to what may be needed to re-establish a consolidation path and make it less prone to setbacks.<P>L'économie politique de l'ajustement budgétaire<BR>Ce document explore l’économie politique de l’ajustement budgétaire. Il commence par examiner l’existence et les sources d’un biais en faveur des déficits. Parmi ces sources on peut citer les facteurs de politique économique et de gouvernance, les attitudes de la population, le rôle des marchés financiers et le manque de précision concernant les cibles de dette à atteindre. Il s’intéresse ensuite aux facteurs exogènes ou liés à l’action des pouvoirs publics qui affectent le succès des efforts d’assainissement des finances publiques. Enfin le rôle des institutions budgétaires est abordé, y compris celui des règles budgétaires et des agences autonomes. La dernière section s’interroge sur la façon dont la crise financière a modifié l’économie politique de la politique budgétaire en donnant quelques pistes sur ce qui pourrait s’avérer nécessaire pour rétablir une trajectoire de consolidation et la rendre moins vulnérable aux rechutes. |
| Keywords: | taxation, budgets, institutions, fiscal policy, public expenditure, fiscal consolidation, fiscal sustainability, political economy, deficit, debt, institutions, politique budgétaire, finances publiques, imposition, dépenses publiques, économie politique, soutenabilité des finances publiques, consolidation budgétaire, déficit, dette |
| JEL: | E62 E65 H30 H60 H61 H62 H63 |
| Date: | 2010–05–31 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:ecoaaa:776-en&r=cba |
| By: | Timo Henckel (Australian National University); Gordon Menzies (University of Technology, Sydney); Daniel Zizzo (School of Economics, University of East Anglia) |
| Abstract: | Microeconomic evidence suggests price changes are either very small, or large. The theory of inferential expectations predicts this phenomena if agents use a low test size, reflecting a reluctance to change their minds on the basis of evidence. |
| Keywords: | inferential Expectations, prices, near-rationality |
| JEL: | E31 D84 |
| Date: | 2010–05–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:uea:aepppr:2010_8&r=cba |
| By: | Jesús Crespo Cuaresma |
| Abstract: | Bayesian Model Averaging techniques are used to analyse how robustly it is possible to identify factors that may lead to the bursting of asset price bubbles in OECD economies. A large set of variables put forward in the literature is assessed, as well as interactions of these variables with estimates of asset price misalignments to evaluate the importance of the different channels postulated by theory. The results indicate that asset price misalignments are not robust determinants of house price reversals unless their interaction with other characteristics of the economy (credit growth, population growth and interest rate developments) is taken into account. On the other hand, stock price reversals are affected by misalignments, as well as other real and monetary variables. Out-of-sample prediction exercises provide evidence that dealing explicitly with model uncertainty using Bayesian model averaging techniques leads to better forecasts of reversals in asset prices than relying on model selection. Conclusions regarding the importance of dealing quantitatively with model uncertainty are drawn to improve the anticipation of asset price reversals.<P>Peut-on détecter les bulles naissantes des prix des actifs ?<BR>Des techniques de modèle bayésien en moyenne ont été utilisées pour analyser dans quelle mesure il est possible d’identifier de façon robuste les facteurs qui peuvent provoquer l’éclatement de bulles des prix des actifs dans les économies de l’OCDE. Un large ensemble de variables mises en avant par les spécialistes a été évalué, de même que les interactions de ces variables avec les estimations des désalignements des prix des actifs, le but étant de déterminer l’importance des différents canaux retenus sur le plan théorique. Les résultats montrent que les désalignements des prix des actifs ne constituent pas un déterminant fiable des retournements des prix immobiliers, sauf si l’on prend en compte leur interaction avec d’autres caractéristiques de l’économie (croissance du crédit, croissance démographique et évolution des taux d’intérêt). En revanche, les retournements des cours des actions subissent les effets des désalignements ainsi que ceux d’autres variables réelles et monétaires. Des exercices de prévision hors échantillon montrent qu’en traitant expressément l’incertitude du modèle par des techniques bayésiennes en moyenne, on obtient des prévisions des retournements des prix des actifs qui sont meilleures qu’en sélectionnant un modèle. Ce document tire une série de conclusions quant à l’importance d’un traitement quantitatif de l’incertitude liée à la modélisation, afin de pouvoir mieux anticiper les retournements des prix des actifs. |
| Keywords: | model averaging, house prices, asset prices, stock prices, model uncertainty, moyennes de modèles, prix des actifs, prix immobiliers, cours des actions, incertitude des modèles |
| JEL: | C11 C23 G12 |
| Date: | 2010–06–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:ecoaaa:772-en&r=cba |
| By: | Ragna Alstadheim (Norges Bank (Central Bank of Norway)) |
| Abstract: | With sticky prices, optimizing agents and money in the utility function, I derive the exact analytical solution for optimal monetary policy given a zero lower bound (ZLB) on the interest rate. The Phillips curve is Neo-Classical, and the ZLB is then not a constraint on optimal policy. Optimal policy is history dependent even without a commitment problem and implements a Friedman rule equilibrium. The role of forward guidance in policy is more limited than under a New-Keynesian Phillips curve. The optimal policy rule intercept term is time varying and depends on the variance of the natural real rate. |
| Keywords: | Zero Lower Bound on Interest Rates, Monetary Policy |
| JEL: | E31 E52 E61 |
| Date: | 2010–07–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bno:worpap:2010_13&r=cba |
| By: | Karine Hervé; Nigel Pain; Pete Richardson; Franck Sédillot; Pierre-Olivier Beffy |
| Abstract: | This paper provides a summary of the OECD’s new global macroeconometric model, including an overview of model structure and a selection of simulations illustrating its main properties. Compared with its predecessors, the new model is more compact and regionally aggregated, but gives more weight to the focus of policy interests in global trade and financial linkages. The country model structures typically combine short-term Keynesian-type dynamics with a consistent long-run neo-classical supply-side. While retaining a conventional treatment of international trade and payments linkages, the model has a greater degree of stock-flow consistency, with explicit modelling of domestic and international assets, liabilities and associated income streams. Account is also taken of the influence of financial and housing market developments on asset valuation and domestic expenditures via house and equity prices, interest rates and exchange rates. As a result, the model gives more prominence to wealth and wealth effects in determining longer-term outcomes and the role of asset prices in the transmission of international shocks both to goods and financial markets.<P>Le nouveau modèle global de l’OCDE<BR>Ce document de travail présente un résumé du nouveau modèle macro-économétrique de l’OCDE, incluant une vue d’ensemble de la structure du modèle et une sélection de simulations qui illustrent ses principales propriétés. Comparé aux modèles antérieurs, le nouveau modèle est plus compact et agrégé par région, mais donne plus de poids aux politiques économiques portant sur les interactions entre le commerce mondial et les marchés financiers. Les structures du modèle par pays combinent des dynamiques de court terme de type Keynésien avec un côté de l’offre à long terme néo-classique consistant. Alors qu’il conserve un traitement conventionnel des interactions enter le commerce international et les secteurs financiers, le modèle a un meilleur degré de consistance des stocks et des flux, avec une modélisation explicite des actifs domestiques et internationaux et des flux des actions et des revenus qui en découlent. On tient compte aussi de l’influence du développement des marchés financier et immobilier sur les valorisations d’actifs et les dépenses domestiques à travers les prix des maisons et des titres, des taux d’intérêt et des taux de change. En conséquence, le modèle donne plus d’importance à la richesse et aux effets de richesse dans les résultats à long terme des simulations, ainsi qu’au rôle du prix des actifs dans la transmission des chocs internationaux entre les biens et les marchés financiers. |
| Keywords: | simulation, macroeconomic, Global, econometric modelling, simulation, macroéconomique, global, modèle économétrique |
| JEL: | E17 F01 F47 |
| Date: | 2010–05–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:ecoaaa:768-en&r=cba |
| By: | OECD |
| Abstract: | The deep recession has led to a marked deterioration in labour market conditions in the OECD area. This paper, which draws heavily on other ongoing analytical work at the OECD, takes stock of recent labour market developments, highlights some of the key uncertainties in the early stages of the upturn, and discusses the policy options available to damp any further, structural deterioration in labour markets and facilitate an eventual, sustained, job-rich recovery.<P>Les marchés du travail et la crise<BR>La profonde récession qui a frappé l’économie de la zone OCDE a entraîné une dégradation marquée de la situation des marchés du travail. Ce document examine l’évolution récente du marché du travail, quelquesunes des principales incertitudes pendant les phases initiales de la reprise et examine les options de politiques économiques disponibles pour amortir une nouvelle dégradation structurelle durable de leurs marchés du travail et faciliter à terme une reprise pérenne riche en emplois. |
| Keywords: | unemployment, employment, Policy, crisis, recovery, chômage, emploi, Politique, crise, reprise |
| JEL: | E24 J08 J20 |
| Date: | 2010–04–16 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:ecoaaa:756-en&r=cba |
| By: | Thierry Bracke (European Central Bank, Kaiserstrasse 29, 60311 Frankfurt am Main); Éva Katalin Polgár (European Central Bank, Kaiserstrasse 29, 60311 Frankfurt am Main); Kristel Buysse (European Central Bank, Kaiserstrasse 29, 60311 Frankfurt am Main); Desislava Rusinova (European Central Bank, Kaiserstrasse 29, 60311 Frankfurt am Main); Alexandre Francart (Banque Nationale de Belgique, Boulevard de Berlaimont 14, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium.); Jakob Ekholdt Christensen (Danmarks Nationalbank, Havnegade 5, 1093 Copenhagen K, Danmark.); Corinna Knobloch (Deutsche Bundesbank, Wilhelm-Epstein-Str. 14, D-60431 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.); Nikolaos Stavrianou (Bank of Greece, 21, E. Venizelos Avenue, P. O. Box 3105, GR-10250 Athens, Greece.); Pavel Diev (Banque de France, 39, rue Croix-des-Petits-Champs, F-75049 Paris Cedex 01, France.); Emidio Cocozza (Banca d’Italia,Via Nazionale 91, I-00184 Rome, Italy.); Jon Frost (De Nederlandsche Bank, Postbus 98, 1000 AB Amsterdam, The Netherlands.); Sándor Gardó (Oesterreichische Nationalbank, Otto-Wagner-Platz 3, POB-61, A-1011 Vienna, Austria.); David Farelius (Sveriges Riksbank, 103 37, Stockholm, Sweden.) |
| Abstract: | This paper reviews financial stability challenges in the EU candidate countries: Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Turkey. It follows a macro-prudential approach, emphasising systemic risks and the stability of financial systems as a whole. The paper recalls that the economies of all three countries experienced a recession in 2008-09 and shows how this slowed the rapid process of financial deepening that had been taking place since the beginning of the last decade. The deteriorating economic and financial conditions manifested themselves, first and foremost, through a marked deterioration in asset quality. These direct credit risks were compounded by the transformation of exchange and interest rate risks through a widespread use of foreign exchange-denominated or indexed loans and variable or adjustable interest rate loans. Moreover, funding and liquidity risks also materialised to some extent, although fully fledged bank runs were avoided, and none of the countries experienced a sharp reversal in external financing. Overall, the deterioration in asset quality has so far been managed well by the banking systems of the candidate countries, facilitated by large capital buffers, pro-active macro-prudential policies pursued by the authorities both before and during the crisis and the relative stability of exchange rates. Looking ahead, although uncertainties remain high regarding credit quality, the shock-absorbing capacities of the banking systems are fairly robust, as also evidenced by their relative resilience so far. Nevertheless, as the economic recovery sets in, the central banks should return to and possibly reinforce the implementation of measures to avoid a pro-cyclical build-up of credit (asset) boom-bust cycles. Furthermore, given the relevance of foreign-owned banks in two of the three countries, a continued strengthening of home-host cooperation in the supervisory area will be crucial to avoid any kind of regulatory arbitrage. JEL Classification: F32, F41, G21, G28 |
| Keywords: | Europe, banking sector, vulnerability indicators, macro-prudential approach, emerging markets |
| Date: | 2010–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ecb:ecbops:20100115&r=cba |
| By: | E. Philip Davis |
| Abstract: | A survey of the literature on asset price impacts on the real economy shows a much wider range of work on consumption and related wealth effects than on investment. The existence of wealth effects on consumption is little contested, but there remains an issue of whether different effects should hold between countries and across assets. There is less empirical work available on investment, partly reflecting poor results for Tobin?s Q, the user cost of capital and the financial accelerator. Panel investment functions for up to 23 OECD countries are estimated. Significant asset price effects from the financial accelerator and Tobin?s Q are found especially for the G7 countries as well as uncertainty effects as proxied by asset price volatility, but they only matter for the smaller OECD countries.<P>Les prix des actifs et l’économie réelle<BR>Un examen des etudes consacrees a l.impact des prix des actifs sur l.economie reelle montre que beaucoup plus de travaux portent sur la consommation et les effets connexes de patrimoine que sur l.investissement. L.existence d.effets de patrimoine sur la consommation n.est guere contestee, mais il reste a savoir si les differents effets sont valables d.un pays et d.un actif a l.autre. Les travaux empiriques sur l.investissement sont moins nombreux, en partie parce que les resultats sont mediocres pour le Q de Tobin, le cout d.usage du capital et l.accelerateur financier. On a estime des fonctions d.investissement sur donnees de panel pouvant couvrir jusqu'a 23 pays de l'OCDE. On constate des effets sensibles de prix des actifs dus a l.accelerateur financier et au Q de Tobin en particulier pour les pays du G7, et egalement des effets d.incertitude etablis a travers la volatilite des prix des actifs, mais ces derniers effets ne sont importants que pour les petits pays de la zone de l'OCDE. |
| Keywords: | uncertainty, asset prices, credit channel, wealth effect on consumption, aggregate fixed investment, Tobin's Q, financial accelerator, incertitude, prix des actifs, canal du crédit, effet de patrimoine sur la consommation, investissement fixe total, Q de Tobin, accélérateur financier |
| JEL: | E22 E44 F31 G31 |
| Date: | 2010–05–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:ecoaaa:764-en&r=cba |
| By: | Schmidt, Sandra; Nautz, Dieter |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates why financial market experts misperceive the interest rate policy of the European Central Bank (ECB). Assuming a Taylor-rule-type reaction function of the ECB, we use qualitative survey data on expectations about the future interest rate, inflation, and output to discover the sources of individual interest rate forecast errors. Based on a panel random coefficient model, we show that financial experts have systematically misperceived the ECB's interest rate rule. However, although experts tend to overestimate the impact of inflation on future interest rates, perceptions of monetary policy have become more accurate since clarification of the ECB's monetary policy strategy in May 2003. We find that this improved communication has reduced disagreement over the ECB's response to expected inflation during the financial crisis. -- |
| Keywords: | Central bank communication,Interest rate forecasts,Survey expectations,Panel random coefficient model |
| JEL: | E47 E52 E58 C23 |
| Date: | 2010 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:zewdip:10045&r=cba |
| By: | Andrea Vaona (Department of Economics (University of Verona)) |
| Abstract: | This paper explores the influence of inflation on economic growth both theoretically and empirically. We propose to merge an endogenous growth model of learning by doing with a New Keynesian one with sticky wages. We show that the intertemporal elasticity of substitution of working time is a key parameter for the shape of the inflation-growth nexus. When it is set equal to zero, the inflation-growth nexus is weak and hump-shaped. When it is greater than zero, inflation has a sizeable and negative effect on growth. Endogenizing the length of wage contracts does not lead to inflation superneutrality in presence of a fixed cost to wage resetting. Once adopting various semiparametric and instrumental variable estimation approaches on a cross-country/time-series dataset, we show that increasing inflation reduces real economic growth, consistently with our theoretical model with a positive intertemporal elasticity of substitution of working time. |
| Keywords: | inflation, growth, wage-staggering, learning-by-doing, semi- parametric estimator |
| JEL: | E31 E51 E52 O42 C14 |
| Date: | 2010–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ver:wpaper:09/2010&r=cba |
| By: | Ignazio Angeloni |
| Abstract: | In a paper co-written with Ester Faia of Geothe University Frankfurt, Visiting Fellow Ignazio Angeloni introduces banks into a standard DSGE model and uses this framework to study the role of banks in the transmission of shocks, the effects of monetary policy when banks are exposed to runs, and the interplay between monetary policy and Basel-like capital ratios. |
| Date: | 2009–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bre:wpaper:361&r=cba |
| By: | Uluc Aysun (University of Connecticut); Melanie Guldi (Mount Holyoke College); Ralf Hepp (Fordham University) |
| Abstract: | This paper shows that the balance sheet channel of monetary transmission works mainly through U.S. bank holding companies that securitize their assets. This finding is different, in spirit, from the widely-found negative relationship between financial development and the strength of the lending channel of monetary transmission. Focusing on the balance sheet channel, and using bank-level observations, we find that securitized banks are more sensitive to borrowers' balance sheets and that monetary policy has a greater impact on this sensitivity for securitizing bank holding companies. The optimality conditions from a simple partial equilibrium framework suggest that the positive effects of securitization on policy effectiveness could be due to the high sensitivity of security prices to policy rates. |
| Keywords: | balance sheet channel, banks, bank holding companies, securitization. |
| JEL: | E44 F31 F41 O16 |
| Date: | 2010–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:uct:uconnp:2010-18&r=cba |
| By: | Gabriel Porcile (Department of Economics, Universidade Federal do Paraná); Alexandre C. Gomes de Souza (Department of Economics, Brazilian Central Bank); Ricardo Viana (Department of Physics, Universidade Federal do Paraná) |
| Abstract: | The paper develops a Kaleckian macroeconomic model which discusses the conditions that may lead to an external debt crisis in a small developing economy fully integrated to global goods and financial markets. The focus is on how policy rules affect the stability of the economy. Two kinds of policy rules are discussed, namely an inflation rate target and a real exchange rate target, implemented through an interest rate operation procedure (IROP). It is argued that in both cases the evolution of the real exchange rate should be closely monitored to avoid external instability. |
| Keywords: | central banks, open economy, external crisis |
| JEL: | E12 E58 F43 |
| Date: | 2010 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fup:wpaper:0105&r=cba |
| By: | Oleksiy Kryvtsov; Yang Zhang |
| Abstract: | Inventory investment is an important component of the Canadian business cycle. Despite its small average size – less than 1 per cent of output -- it exhibits volatile procyclical fluctuations, accounting for almost one-third of output variance. Procyclicality of inventories is somewhat smaller than that of sales, resulting in a counter-cyclical aggregate inventory-sales ratio. These salient inventory facts are matched in a partialequilibrium version of Kryvtsov and Midrigan’s (2010) model in which firms hold stocks of goods to buffer against stockouts. In booms, firms boost their inventories to avoid stocking out due to the rise in demand. The model combines the real marginal cost estimated by ToTEM with the convex cost of adjusting inventories to match the dynamics of the inventory-sales ratio in the data. |
| Keywords: | Business fluctuations and cycles; Transmission of monetary policy |
| JEL: | E31 E32 |
| Date: | 2010 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bca:bocadp:10-8&r=cba |
| By: | Sami Alpanda (Amherst College); Uluc Aysun (University of Connecticut) |
| Abstract: | The literature typically finds that the development of financial markets has decreased the ability of central banks to affect the real economy. This paper shows that this negative relationship does not hold for the balance sheet channel of monetary transmission and bank globalization -- one aspect of financial development. The reason is that global banks are more sensitive to borrowers' leverage. By affecting this leverage, monetary policy has a larger impact on global banks' lending and aggregate economic activity. We use bank-level, Call Report data to obtain this disparity between more and less global banks. We then use this data in the estimation of a general equilibrium model and find that the balance sheet channel of monetary policy operates mainly through more global banks. |
| Keywords: | balance sheet channel, bank globalization, financial accelerator |
| JEL: | E44 F31 F41 O16 |
| Date: | 2010–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:uct:uconnp:2010-20&r=cba |
| By: | Calista Cheung; Davide Furceri; Elena Rusticelli |
| Abstract: | Global external imbalances widened persistently over the last several years and have narrowed abruptly over the course of the financial crisis. Understanding the extent to which structural or cyclical factors may have driven these patterns is important to assess the likely evolution of global imbalances going forward, as well as the potential adjustment that can be achieved through changes in policy. This paper assesses the link between structural and cyclical factors and current-account balances using a panel of 94 countries from 1973 to 2008. We find that the medium-term evolution of global external imbalances can be related in large part to structural factors including cross-country differences in demographics, fiscal deficits, oil dependency and intensity, stage of economic development, financial market development, and institutional quality. Part of the narrowing in current-account balances since the financial crisis appears to be related to various cyclical factors including changes in output growth, oil prices, and exchange rates, and may be expected to reverse alongside the economic recovery.<P>Les facteurs structurels et cycliques derrière l’évolution des comptes courantsGlobal external imbalances widened persistently over the last several years and have narrowed abruptly over the course of the financial crisis. Understanding the extent to whic<BR>Des déséquilibres externes mondiaux se sont élargis constamment au cours des dernières années et puis se sont réduits abruptement au cours de la crise financière. Comprendre dans quelle mesure des facteurs structurels ou cycliques ont conduit ces évolutions est important pour évaluer l'évolution probable des déséquilibres mondiaux à l’avenir, ainsi que l'ajustement potentiel qui peut être réalisé par des changements de la politique. Cette étude évalue les facteurs structurels et cycliques qui influencent des balances courantes en utilisant un panneau de 94 pays de 1973 à 2008. Nous constatons que l'évolution à moyen terme des déséquilibres externes mondiaux a été conduite en grande partie par des facteurs structurels comprenant des différences internationales dans la démographie, les déficits publics, la dépendance et l'intensité en pétrole, le niveau de développement économique, le développement des marchés financiers, et la qualité institutionnelle. Une partie du rétrécissement des équilibres de compte courant depuis la crise financière semble être liée à de divers facteurs cycliques comprenant des changements dans la croissance de la production, le prix du pétrole, et les taux de change, et pourrait s’inverser avec la reprise économique.c |
| Keywords: | current account, global imbalances, compte courant, déséquilibres mondiaux |
| JEL: | F32 F41 L |
| Date: | 2010–05–20 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:ecoaaa:775-en&r=cba |
| By: | Marcin Kolasa (National Bank of Poland, Economic Institute, ul. Swietokrzyska 11/21, 00-919 Warsaw and Warsaw School of Economics, Department of Applied and Theoretical Economics, Al. Niepodleglosci 162, 02-554 Warsaw, Poland.) |
| Abstract: | This paper uses the EAGLE, a multi-country dynamic general equilibrium model, to illustrate dynamic adjustments in a small open economy undergoing real convergence. We consider the effects of productivity catch-up and misperceptions about future productivity developments. Our results indicate that even if real convergence takes the form of a gradual process, the dynamic responses of key macrovariables can be far from smooth. We also find that overly optimistic expectations about productivity shifts can generate sizable boom-bust cycles and so be relevant in accounting for cyclical deviations from a sustainable real convergence path. Our comparisons across alternative monetary regimes reveal that a flexible exchange rate helps to smooth real convergence processes and misperceptions associated with tradable sector productivity, while the opposite usually holds true for scenarios based on nontradable sector developments. JEL Classification: D58, E32, F41. |
| Keywords: | Real convergence, Boom-bust cycles, Dynamic general equilibrium models. |
| Date: | 2010–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ecb:ecbwps:20101231&r=cba |
| By: | Angelo Melino (University of Toronto); Michael Parkin (University of Western Ontario) |
| Abstract: | Financial market participants would benefit from a better understanding of how the Bank of Canada sets the overnight interest rate in response to economic developments. More accurate forecasts of the Bank’s future policy choices would lead to better financial decisions and better price and wage-setting decisions, making it easier for the Bank to hit its 2 percent inflation target. Currently, the Bank’s internal model predicts a path for the overnight rate that is inconsistent with the expectations of the Bank’s Governing Council. The Bank could achieve greater transparency by publishing its own conditional forecasts of the future path of the overnight rate or, failing that, by publishing such forecasts with a six-month lag. This would enable market participants to better understand what these forecasts mean and how to use them in economic decision-making. |
| Keywords: | Monetary Policy, Bank of Canada, overnight interest rate, inflation target |
| JEL: | E52 E58 |
| Date: | 2010–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cdh:ebrief:102&r=cba |
| By: | Marc Lavoie |
| Abstract: | The subprime financial crisis has forced several North American and European central banks to take extraordinary measures and to modify some of their operational procedures. These changes have made even clearer the deficiencies and lack of realism in mainstream monetary theory, as can be found in both undergraduate textbooks and most macroeconomic models. They have also forced monetary authorities to reject publicly some of the assumptions and key features of mainstream monetary theory, fearing that, on that mistaken basis, actors in the financial markets would misrepresent and misjudge the consequences of the actions taken by the monetary authorities. These changes in operational procedures also have some implications for heterodox monetary theory; in particular, for post-Keynesian theory. The objective of this paper is to analyze the implications of these changes in operational procedures for our understanding of monetary theory. The evolution of the operating procedures of the Federal Reserve since August 2007 is taken as an exemplar. The American case is particularly interesting, both because it was at the center of the financial crisis and because the U.S. monetary system and its federal funds rate market are the main sources of theorizing in monetary economics. |
| Keywords: | Federal Funds Rate; Corridor System; Interest on Bank Reserves; Money Multiplier |
| JEL: | E42 E43 E58 |
| Date: | 2010–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:lev:wrkpap:wp_606&r=cba |
| By: | Philippe Bergevin (C.D. Howe Institute); Colin Busby (C.D. Howe Institute) |
| Abstract: | With the Canadian dollar near parity with its US counterpart, monetary policymakers may come under pressure to curb future interest rate increases to limit the loonie’s appreciation. When the value of the loonie is in line with economic fundamentals, such actions would necessarily compromise the domestic inflation target. By examining the factors underpinning the Canada/US exchange rate, we conclude that the present trading range for the loonie is supported by fundamentals. The Bank of Canada should therefore continue its policy of benign neglect with regard to the exchange rate. |
| Keywords: | Monitary Policy, Bank of Canada, exchange rate |
| JEL: | E58 E52 F31 |
| Date: | 2010–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cdh:ebrief:101&r=cba |
| By: | Danthine, Jean-Pierre (Swiss National Bank); Kurmann, André (Université du Québec à Montréal) |
| Abstract: | We develop a reciprocity-based model of wage determination and incorporate it into a modern dynamic general equilibrium framework. We estimate the model and find that, among potential determinants of wages, rent-sharing (between workers and firms) and wage entitlement (based on wages earned in the past) are important to fit the dynamic responses of output, wages and inflation to various exogenous shocks. Aggregate employment conditions (measuring workers’ outside option), on the other hand, are found to play only a negligible role for wage setting. These results are broadly consistent with micro-studies on reciprocity in labor relations but contrast with traditional efficiency wage models which emphasize aggregate labor market variables as the main determinant of wage setting. |
| Keywords: | Efficiency Wages; Reciprocity; Estimated DSGE Models |
| JEL: | E24 E31 E32 E52 J50 |
| Date: | 2010–06–14 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ris:snbwpa:2010_010&r=cba |
| By: | Vanda Almeida; Gabriela Lopes de Castro; Ricardo Mourinho Félix; José Ramos Maria |
| Abstract: | The international economic and financial crisis elicited an intensive debate on fiscal stimulus programmes. Although the topics have been diverse, most of the research is focused on large countries, some of them in autarky. The literature covering small economies is thinner and for those integrated in a monetary union is virtually nonexistent. This paper is a contribution to fill this gap. The discussion draws on a New-Keynesian general equilibrium model introduced in Almeida, Castro and Félix (2008), which features a small euro area economy. Contrary to most of the literature that considers infinitely lived households, the model features stochastic finite lifetime households following Blanchard (1985), which are a source of non-Ricardian behaviour and allow for pinning-down the steady state net foreign asset position endogenously. Since in a small euro area economy monetary policy is not an available business cycle stabilisation tool, the use of fiscal policy to pursue this goal seems the only alternative. The results reveal that permanent government expenditure increases should be avoided, as opposed to temporary stimulus. This outcome is identical to the one obtained in the literature for large economies. Lags in the program implementation and limited credibility can however undermine the objectives of a temporary stimulus. In particular, in financial distress circumstances, under which the stimulus may trigger a hike in the country's risk premium, the effectiveness of the stimulus might be negligible. |
| JEL: | E62 F41 H62 |
| Date: | 2010 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ptu:wpaper:w201016&r=cba |
| By: | Luiz de Mello; Pier Carlo Padoan |
| Abstract: | This paper assesses the sustainability of global imbalances by testing for the presence of unit roots in the current account positions (measured in relation to GDP) of the United States, China, Japan, Germany and the oil-exporting countries using a methodology that allows for structural breaks in levels and trends. We find that the external positions of these major countries/regions are stationary around structural breaks, which define episodes of current account reversals. On the basis of an event analysis of past reversals, it appears that structural breaks are associated with shifts in the fiscal stance, exchange rate parities and potential output growth, a finding that underscores the scope for macroeconomic and structural policies to ensure the sustainability of external positions while avoiding potentially disruptive reversals. These findings have implications for long-term capital flows after the crisis.<P>Les déséquilibres mondiaux sont-ils soutenables ? : Les scénarios d’après la crise<BR>Cette étude évalue la soutenabilité des déséquilibres globaux par des tests de racines unitaires dans le solde de la balance courante (mesurée par rapport au PIB) des États-Unis, de la Chine, du Japon, de l’Allemagne et des pays exportateurs de pétrole en utilisant une méthodologie qui permet des ruptures structurelles dans les niveaux et les tendances des séries statistiques. Nous constatons que les soldes de la balance courante de ces grands pays ou régions sont stationnaires autour de ruptures structurelles qui définissent les épisodes de retournement du solde de la balance courante. Sur la base d’une analyse des situations qui ont conduit aux retournements précédents, il semble que les ruptures structurelles soient associées à des changements de politique budgétaire, de parités de taux de change et de croissance potentielle, une constatation qui souligne la portée des politiques macroéconomiques et structurelles pour assurer la soutenabilité de la balance courante tout en évitant des retournements potentiellement perturbateurs. Ces résultats ont des implications pour les flux de capitaux à long terme après la crise. |
| Keywords: | capital flows, global imbalances, current account sustainability, flux de capitaux, déséquilibres globaux, soutenabilité de la balance courante |
| JEL: | F30 J08 O40 |
| Date: | 2010–07–21 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:ecoaaa:795-en&r=cba |
| By: | Adam Gersl (Czech National Bank; Institute of Economic Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic); Jan Zápal (Institute of Economic Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic; London School of Economics and Political Science) |
| Abstract: | We evaluate proposals for independent fiscal authority put forward as a solution to excessive public spending. Our main conclusion is that moving the responsibility to set broad measures of fiscal policy from the hands of government to an independent fiscal council is not necessarily welfare improving. We show that the change is welfare improving if nature of uncertainty between fiscal and monetary policymakers does not change as a result. However, if this institutional change involves considerable decrease of capacity of the new agency to recognize economic shocks, citizens' welfare can decrease as a results. This is especially significant in times of increased economic volatility such as in a recent global financial crisis. Faced with the ambiguous theoretical result, we try to gain deeper insight by calibrating our simple model. |
| Keywords: | dynamic inconsistency, fiscal and monetary policy interaction, independent fiscal council |
| JEL: | E42 E58 E63 H30 |
| Date: | 2010–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fau:wpaper:wp2010_15&r=cba |
| By: | F. Gerard Adams (University of Pennsylvania, Department of Economics (Emeritus)); Byron Gangnes (University of Hawaii, Department of Economics) |
| Abstract: | Recent dissatisfaction with the impact of expenditure stimulus on economic activity in the United States, along with the results of academic research, have once again raised questions about the effectiveness of fiscal stimulus policies and about whether stimulus to a recessionary economy should be in the form of tax cuts or expenditure increases. This paper considers alternative methods for evaluating the impacts of stimulus policy strategies. We discuss conceptual challenges involved in effectiveness measurement, and we review alternative empirical approaches applied in recent studies. We then present our own estimates of policy multipliers based on simulations of the IHS Global Insight model of the US economy. Based on this review and analysis, we address the question of why recent US stimulus programs have not been more effective. |
| Keywords: | United States (US) recession and recovery; fiscal and monetary policy; tax and expenditure multipliers; econometric model forecast simulation. |
| JEL: | E37 E62 E65 |
| Date: | 2010–07–22 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hai:wpaper:201010&r=cba |
| By: | Mark Weder |
| Abstract: | Two dynamic general equilibrium economies compete in explain?ing the United States'interwar business cycles. Despite the demand driven contender's slight advantages, the results remain too close to call a clear winner. |
| Keywords: | Great Depression, Dynamic General Equilibrium. |
| JEL: | E32 N12 |
| Date: | 2010–07–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:san:cdmawp:1013&r=cba |
| By: | Karl Aiginger (WIFO) |
| Abstract: | This paper compares the depth and length of the recent crisis with the Great Depression in the 1930s. It claims that economic policy played a crucial role in shortening and curtailing the recent crisis. We analyse which policies were applied during the recent crisis and which measures worked. We know that policies relying on large infrastructure projects inherently involve an implementation lag. These lags have been very high in the recent crisis and some expenditure planned will maybe never be spent. We therefore suggest implementing a leakage rate for government expenditure programs which represents the part of intended public expenditures not spent in the first twelve months after the program is set into action. It might be higher than the savings rate out of a tax cut. Furthermore, exit strategies should ideally cut expenditure to the same extent as the increase in government spending during the crisis had been, so that sooner or later tax rates and debt rates may return to pre crisis levels. The core of the Keynesian policy recommendation is to raise expenditure in the crisis but to achieve a balanced budget over a full cycle. If expenditure is not cut after the crisis tax and/or debt rates will increase after each downturn and the basis for any Keynesian policy in the next crisis will be eroded. This does not preclude that it might be useful in the exit phase to change the tax structure in order to lower taxes on labour, specifically for low wages, while increasing taxes on financial transactions, carbon dioxide emissions, capital gains or property. This would lower unemployment and boost demand in economies with tendencies to underconsume. |
| Keywords: | financial crisis, business cycle, stabilisation policy, resilience |
| Date: | 2010–05–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wfo:wpaper:y:2010:i:371&r=cba |
| By: | Luís Francisco Aguiar (Universidade do Minho - NIPE); Manuel M. F. Martins (Cef.up, Faculdade de Economia, Universidade do Porto); Maria Joana Soares (Universidade do Minho) |
| Abstract: | This paper assesses the relation between the yield curve and the main macroeconomic variables in the U.S. between early 1960s and 2009 across time and frequencies, using wavelet analyses. The shape of the yield curve is modelled by latent factors corresponding to its level, slope and curvature, estimated by maximum likelihood with the Kalman filter. The macroeconomic variables measure econmic activity, unemployment, inflation and the fed funds rate. The cross wavelet tools employed - coherency and phase difference - , the set of variables and the length of the sample, allow for a thorough appraisal of the time- variation and structural breaks in the direction,intensity,synchronization and periodicity of the relation between the yield curve and the macro-economy. Our evidence establishes a number of new stylized facts on the yield curve-macro relation; and sheds light on several results found in the literature, which could not have been achieved with analyses conducted strictly in the time-domain(as most of the literature)or purely in the frequency-domain. |
| Keywords: | Macro-finance; Yield curve; Kalman filter; Continuous wavelet transform;Wavelet coherency;Phase-difference |
| JEL: | C32 C49 E43 E44 |
| Date: | 2010 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nip:nipewp:21/2010&r=cba |
| By: | Luís Aguiar-Conraria (NIPE, Escola de Economia e Gestão, Universidade do Minho); Manuel M. F. Martins (Cef.up, Faculdade de Economia, Universidade do Porto); Maria Joana Soares (Departmento de Matemática, Universidade do Minho) |
| Abstract: | This paper assesses the relation between the yield curve and the main macroeconomic variables in the U.S. between early 1960s and 2010 across time and frequencies, using wavelet analyses. The shape of the yield curve is modelled by latent factors corresponding to its level, slope and curvature, estimated by maximum likelihood with the Kalman filter. The macroeconomic variables measure economic activity, unemployment, inflation and the fed funds rate. The cross wavelet tools employed — coherency and phase difference —, the set of variables and the length of the sample, allow for a thorough appraisal of the timevariation and structural breaks in the direction, intensity, synchronization and periodicity of the relation between the yield curve and the macro-economy. Our evidence establishes a number of new stylized facts on the yield curve-macro relation; and sheds light on several results found in the literature, which could not have been achieved with analyses conducted strictly in the time-domain (as most of the literature) or purely in the frequency-domain. |
| Keywords: | Macro-finance; Yield curve; Kalman filter; Continuous wavelet transform; Wavelet coherency; Phase-difference. |
| JEL: | C32 C49 E43 E44 |
| Date: | 2010–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:por:cetedp:1004&r=cba |
| By: | Balázs Égert |
| Abstract: | This study analyses the impact of economic catching-up on annual inflation rates in the European Union with a special focus on the new member countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Using an array of estimation methods, we show that the Balassa-Samuelson effect is not an important driver of inflation rates. By contrast, we find that the initial price level and regulated prices strongly affect inflation outcomes in a nonlinear manner and that the extension of Engel’s Law may hold during periods of very fast growth. We interpret these results as a sign that price level convergence comes from goods, market and non-market service prices. Furthermore, we find that the Phillips curve flattens with a decline in the inflation rate, that inflation persistence increases and that commodity prices have a stronger effect on inflation in a higher inflation environment.<P>Rattrapage économique et inflation en Europe : Balassa-Samuelson, la loi d’Engel et d’autres explications<BR>Ce papier étudie l’influence du rattrapage économique sur l’inflation annuelle dans l’Union européenne avec un accent particulier sur les nouveaux pays membres de l’Europe central et orientale. Les résultats indiquent que l’effet Balassa-Samuelson n’est pas à même d’expliquer les taux d’inflation différents observés dans les pays étudiés. Par contre, le niveau général des prix et les prix règlementés ont un impact significatif et non-linéaire sur l’inflation et la loi d’Engel peut être vérifiée durant des périodes de forte croissance économique. Ces résultats suggèrent que la convergence des niveaux de prix provient de la convergence des niveaux de prix des biens échangeables, des biens non-échangeables marchands et non-marchands. Nos résultats montrent aussi que la courbe de Phillips devient plate avec des taux d’inflation plus faible et que la persistance de l’inflation augmente et les prix des matières premières ont une influence plus forte sur l’inflation lorsque l’inflation est plus élevée. |
| Keywords: | European Union, catching-up, inflation, Balassa-Samuelson effect, Bayesian model averaging, nonlinearity, Engel’s law, real convergence, politique budgétaire, pays membre de l'OCDE, procyclique, contracyclique |
| JEL: | C22 C33 E21 E32 E43 E50 E52 E62 G21 H30 H60 O52 |
| Date: | 2010–07–16 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:ecoaaa:792-en&r=cba |
| By: | Balázs Égert |
| Abstract: | This paper analyses the reaction of fiscal policy to the cycle in OECD countries. The results suggest that while overall government balances were counter-cyclical in the past and more so in economic downturns than in upswings, discretionary fiscal policy was neutral on average. However, discretionary fiscal policy appears to react to the cycle in a non-linear fashion: fiscal policy in countries with high public debt and high government deficits tends to be pro-cyclical, while countries that have low public debt and that have surpluses are more likely to conduct a counter-cyclical fiscal policy. The paper also finds that asset prices have a significant impact on government balances.<P>La réaction de la politique budgétaire au cycle dans les pays de l’OCDE : A-t-elle été procyclique ou contracyclique ?<BR>Ce document analyse la réaction de la politique budgétaire au cycle dans les pays de l’OCDE. Les résultats montrent que le solde budgétaire global a été contracyclique dans le passé et encore plus en période de ralentissement économique qu’en période d’expansion, mais que les mesures budgétaires discrétionnaires ont eu en moyenne un caractère acyclique. Ce constat s’explique par les réactions non linéaires au cycle : dans les pays où la dette publique et le déficit budgétaire sont élevés, la politique budgétaire à tendance à réagir de façon procyclique au cycle, alors que dans les pays à faible dette publique et à excédent budgétaire, la politique budgétaire sera plus probablement contracyclique. Comme le montre également ce document, les plans budgétaires ne sont pas extrêmement différents des résultats budgétaires, et les prix des actifs n’ont pas un impact sensible sur le solde budgétaire. |
| Keywords: | fiscal policy, OECD countries, pro-cyclicality, counter-cyclicality, politique budgétaire, pays membres de l'OCDE, procyclique, contracyclique |
| JEL: | C33 E32 E62 H30 H60 |
| Date: | 2010–05–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:ecoaaa:763-en&r=cba |
| By: | Felix Hüfner |
| Abstract: | The German banking system came under pressure during the financial crisis, not least due to its significant exposure to toxic assets which originated in the US. In the short run, the stability of the system has been achieved, in large part through substantial government support measures. However, ensuring adequate capitalization of the banking system remains a major challenge going forward and may require more active government involvement. The underlying causes of the banking sector problems are related to: i) the activities of the Landesbanken which benefitted from government guarantees without a proper business model; ii) weak capitalization and high fragmentation of the whole banking system, possibly related to the particularly rigid three-pillar structure; and iii) deficiencies in banking regulation and supervision. The challenge is to address these three causes in order to raise the long-run stability of the banking system. This paper relates to the 2010 OECD Economic Review of Germany (www.oecd.org/eco/surveys/germany).<P>Le système bancaire : les leçons de la crise financière<BR>Le système bancaire allemand a subi des tensions durant la crise financière, notamment en raison de sa forte exposition à des actifs toxiques générés aux États-Unis. À court terme, la stabilité du système a pu être assurée en grande partie au moyen de mesures substantielles de soutien de la part du gouvernement. Néanmoins, parvenir à une capitalisation convenable du système bancaire reste un défi majeur pour la période à venir et nécessitera sans doute une intervention plus active des pouvoirs publics. Les causes profondes des problèmes du système bancaire sont liées aux facteurs suivants : i) les activités des Landesbanken qui ont bénéficié des garanties de l’État sans avoir de véritable modèle économique ; ii) la capitalisation et la rentabilité médiocres du système bancaire dans son ensemble, éventuellement liée à son organisation particulièrement rigide autour de trois piliers ; et iii) les carences de la réglementation et du contrôle bancaire. Tout le problème consiste à s’attaquer à ces trois causes pour accroître la stabilité de long terme du système. Ce document se rapporte à l’Étude économique de l’Allemagne de l’OCDE, 2010, (www.oecd.org/eco/etudes/allemagne). |
| Keywords: | financial crisis, financial stability, Landesbanken, banking sector, banking supervision, secteur bancaire, crise financière, stabilité financière, Landesbanken, contrôle bancaire |
| JEL: | G15 G21 G38 |
| Date: | 2010–07–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:ecoaaa:788-en&r=cba |
| By: | Isabell Koske |
| Abstract: | Past consolidation has allowed the automatic stabilisers to operate fully during the crisis. Further fiscal easing in late 2008 and early 2009 contributed to a markedly widening fiscal deficit in 2010. A newly enacted fiscal rule, which limits the structural budget deficit of the federal government to a maximum of 0.35% of GDP and requires balanced structural budgets for the Länder, will help bring public finances back to a sustainable path. However, some elements of the new rule may need to be fine tuned in order for it to be more effective. To comply with the transition requirements of the new rule, consolidation beyond a mere phasing-out of the stimulus packages will be needed between 2011 and 2016. Priority should be given to reducing public expenditure, notably by improving public sector efficiency and by cutting back on grants and government consumption, and to phasing out distorting tax concessions. To improve the structure of the tax system, the government should consider raising the share of taxes on property and consumption in total tax revenues. This paper relates to the 2010 OECD Economic Survey of Germany. (www.oecd.org/eco/surveys/germany).<P>Après la crise : retrouver la viabilité des finances publiques allemandes<BR>Les efforts budgetaires recents ont permis aux stabilisateurs automatiques de fonctionner pleinement au cours de la crise. Des mesures de relance entre fin 2008 et debut 2009 ont contribue a un elargissement marque du deficit public en 2010. La regle budgetaire adoptee recemment, qui limite le deficit structurel de l'administration federale a un maximum de 0.35% du PIB et exige l'equilibre des budgets structurels des Lander, aidera a retrouver la viabilite des finances publiques. Toutefois, des ajustements de certains aspects de cette nouvelle regle pourraient contribuer a la rendre plus efficace. Ses dispositions transitoires exigeront une consolidation budgetaire entre 2011 et 2016 allant au-dela de la simple elimination des mesures de relance. La priorite devrait etre accordee a la reduction des depenses publiques, notamment en ameliorant l'efficience du secteur public, en reduisant les subventions et la consommation publique, et a l'elimination des avantages fiscaux engendrant de larges distorsions. Pour ameliorer la structure du systeme fiscal, le gouvernement devrait envisager d'augmenter la part des impots sur la propriete et la consommation dans le total des recettes fiscales. Ce document se rapporte a l'Etude economique de l'OCDE de l'Allemagne, 2010 (www.oecd.org/eco/etudes/allemagne). |
| Keywords: | public debt, Germany, fiscal consolidation, dette publique, Allemagne, consolidation budgétaire |
| JEL: | H2 H6 H7 |
| Date: | 2010–05–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:ecoaaa:766-en&r=cba |
| By: | Tony Cavoli; Ramkishen S. Rajan |
| Abstract: | The infeasibility of a monetary union for East Asia in the near future, as well as the limitations of other forms of super fixes, appears to leave a flexible regime as the only viable policy option. This paper first deliberates on the case for and against a flexible regime. To anticipate the main conclusion -- while favoring relatively more flexible regimes, emerging economies in East Asia and elsewhere have continued to heavily manage their currencies despite being officially described as “floatersâ€. The paper goes on to explore the case for and operational mechanics behind an open inflation targeting regime which has increasingly been advocated for small and open economies in East Asia and elsewhere. The importance of incorporating the exchange rate in open economy monetary policy rules is stressed. |
| Keywords: | infeasibility, monetary union, East Asia, flexible regime, floaters, East Asia |
| Date: | 2010 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ess:wpaper:id:2718&r=cba |
| By: | Guido Ascari (Università di Pavia); Andrea Vaona (Department of Economics (University of Verona)) |
| Abstract: | Regional patterns of inflation persistence have received attention only at a very coarse level of territorial disaggregation, that of EMU member states. However economic disparities within EMU member states are an equally important policy issue. This paper considers a country with a large regional divide, i.e., Italy, at a fine level of territorial disaggregation (NUTS3). Our results show that economically backward regions display greater inflation persistence. Moreover, we show that higher persistence is linked to a lower degree of competitiveness in the retail sector. Finally, the inflation persistence at the national level does not present any geographical aggregation bias, because it equals the mean of inflation persistence of provincial data. |
| Keywords: | inflation persistence, retail sector, regions |
| JEL: | E0 E30 R0 R10 |
| Date: | 2010–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ver:wpaper:04/2010&r=cba |
| By: | Andrea Vaona (Department of Economics (University of Verona)) |
| Abstract: | Considering a sample of 71 Italian metropolitan areas, this paper goes beyond the assumption that there exists a unique core inflationary process in a macroeconomy. We show that local long-run inflation rates can display remarkable variability. On the one hand they are negatively correlated with productivity growth, on the other the less competitive is the local retail sector and the higher is long-run inflation. |
| Keywords: | purchasing power parity, long-run inflation, Balassa-Samuelson model, Kaldor-Verdoorn model. |
| JEL: | R1 E31 F49 |
| Date: | 2010–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ver:wpaper:12/2010&r=cba |
| By: | Sean Langcake (School of Economics, University of Adelaide) |
| Abstract: | The purpose of this paper is to evaluate whether adding labour market frictions improves the basic New Keynesian model's ability to generate greater inflation persistence and plausible labour market dynamics. This paper builds and compares two sticky price models, one of which is augmented by an efficiency wage model of the labour market. The efficiency wage model is motivated by fair wage considerations, which add a real rigidity to the model that complements nominal price rigidities common to both models. The two models are then extended to capture a series of backward looking behaviours typically used to generate inflation persistence. The key contribution of this paper is that the proposed models are estimated using Bayesian maximum likelihood techniques and Australian data. The results presented show that by adding real wage rigidity, the models' internal propogation and labour market dynamics are significantly improved. The results also demonstrate that the conclusions made elsewhere in the literature using simulated models can be extended to models estimated using Bayesian methods. |
| Keywords: | efficiency Wage, effort, inflation persistence |
| JEL: | E24 |
| Date: | 2010–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:adl:wpaper:2010-15&r=cba |
| By: | Charlotte Moeser |
| Abstract: | Israel’s monetary policy framework is broadly sound. Inflation targeting was introduced in the early 1990s, and low single-digit inflation was established by the end of the decade. However, fast transmission from the exchange rate to inflation means the operational challenges differ somewhat from those in many OECD countries. Also, the Bank of Israel has been intervening heavily in the foreign-exchange market, marking a departure from standard practice in inflation targeting. Past progress in fiscal consolidation has been affected by several economic shocks, including the recent downturn. The government’s strategy of lowering tax rates on corporate profits and on personal income is assessed. Also, various avenues for raising revenues on other fronts are suggested. Primary civilian spending is now relatively low in international comparison, the room for savings has narrowed, and many of the necessary future structural reforms probably require initial fiscal outlays. In budgeting, which is strongly controlled by the Ministry of Finance, there is room for various process improvements. This Working Paper relates to the 2009 OECD Economic Survey of Israel (www.oecd.org/eco/surveys/israel).<P>Les politiques monétaire et budgétaire en Israël<BR>Le cadre de la politique monétaire d’Israël est globalement solide. Le ciblage de l’inflation a été introduit au début des années 1990 et l’inflation s’est maintenue à un niveau nettement inférieur à 10 % dès la fin de cette même décennie. Une transmission rapide du taux de change à l’inflation signifie cependant que les problèmes opérationnels sont assez différents de ceux de la plupart des pays de l’OCDE. Par ailleurs, la Banque d’Israël intervient sur le marché des changes, rompant ainsi avec la pratique habituellement suivie pour cibler l’inflation. Les progrès réalisés dans l’assainissement des finances publiques ont été compromis par plusieurs chocs économiques, et notamment la dernière récession. Nous dressons le bilan de la stratégie du gouvernement de réduire l’impôt sur les sociétés et les tranches supérieures de l’impôt sur le revenu des personnes physiques et proposons plusieurs moyens d’augmenter les recettes sur d’autres fronts. Les dépenses civiles primaires sont désormais relativement faibles par rapport aux autres pays, les possibilités de réaliser des économies se sont réduites et beaucoup de réformes structurelles nécessaires obligeront à faire des dépenses budgétaires initiales. Enfin il y a des améliorations à apporter au processus d’élaboration du budget, qui est étroitement contrôlé par le ministère des Finances. Ce document de travail se rapporte à l’étude économique d’Israël publié par l'OCDE en 2010 (www.oecd.org/eco/surveys/israel). |
| Keywords: | taxation, public debt, OECD, fiscal policy, monetary policy, public spending, macroeconomic policies, inflation targeting, Israel, government deficit, budget rules, fiscalité, dette publique, OCDE, politique budgétaire, dépenses publiques, politique monétaire, règles budgétaires, politique macro-économique, ciblage de l’inflation, Israël, déficit des administrations publiques |
| JEL: | E E52 E58 H20 H50 H62 H63 |
| Date: | 2010–06–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:ecoaaa:783-en&r=cba |
| By: | Rafal Kierzenkowski |
| Abstract: | The objective of joining the euro area has become an important priority in the policy agenda of the current government. The paper focuses on the major structural reforms necessary to prepare for euro adoption that should allow a sustainable fulfilment of the Maastricht criteria and maximisation of the ensuing various benefits. These reforms are desirable independent of the effective date of adoption, given the necessity to restore fiscal discipline, maintain price stability and ensure a balanced growth going forward. However, they are even more essential in the run up to euro adoption as the process of real and nominal convergence remains largely incomplete, which requires a substantial strengthening of alternative adjustment mechanisms to domestic interest- and exchange-rate changes. The reforms should aim to create strong institutions to ensure fiscal sustainability and an efficient counter-cyclical rules-based fiscal policy supported by an independent fiscal council; promote flexibility in labour and product markets; and head off the risk of a boom-bust cycle triggered by much lower real interest rates, too rapid credit expansion and overblown perceived permanent income gains. The timing of euro adoption should therefore be determined by the speed of the implementation of reforms; otherwise the outcome of early membership without appropriate preparation may turn out to be difficult and risky. Yet, provided that adequate reforms are implemented, euro adoption should speed up the convergence process. This Working Paper relates to the 2010 OECD Economic Survey of Poland (www.oecd.org/eco/surveys/poland).<P>Préparer l’adoption de l’euro en Pologne<BR>L'objectif que constitue l'entrée dans la zone euro est devenu un objectif important du gouvernement actuel. Cet article est consacré aux principales réformes structurelles nécessaires à la préparation de l'adoption de la monnaie unique, qui devraient permettre à la Pologne de satisfaire durablement aux critères de Maastricht et de maximiser les différents avantages qu'elle en retirera. Ces réformes sont souhaitables indépendamment de la date effective d'entrée dans la zone euro, compte tenu de la nécessité de restaurer la discipline budgétaire, de maintenir la stabilité des prix et de garantir une croissance équilibrée dans l'avenir. Néanmoins, elles sont d'autant plus cruciales à l'approche de l'adoption de la monnaie unique que le processus de convergence réelle et nominale reste dans une large mesure inachevé, ce qui exige un renforcement sensible d'autres mécanismes d'ajustement que les taux d'intérêt et le taux de change domestiques. Ces réformes devraient viser à : mettre en place des institutions fortes garantissant la soutenabilité des finances publiques, ainsi qu'une politique budgétaire anticyclique efficace fondée sur des règles et étayée par un conseil indépendant de politique budgétaire ; à promouvoir la flexibilité du marché du travail et des marchés de produits ; et à neutraliser le risque d'un cycle de forte expansion et de récession déclenchée par des taux d'intérêt réels nettement plus bas, une croissance trop rapide du crédit, et l'impression injustifiée de gains de revenu durables. Le moment d'adoption de l'euro devrait donc être déterminé par le rythme de mise en oeuvre des réformes. Faute de quoi, une entrée prématurée dans la zone euro sans préparation adéquate pourrait se révéler difficile et risquée. Néanmoins, si des réformes adaptées sont instituées, l'adoption de la monnaie unique devrait accélérer le processus de convergence. Ce Document de travail se rapporte à l’Étude économique de l’OCDE de la Pologne 2010 (www.oecd.org/eco/etudes/pologne). |
| Keywords: | OECD, Poland, fiscal rules, convergence, euro area, Maastricht criteria, labour market flexibility, boom-bust cycle, OCDE, Pologne, règles budgétaires, convergence, zone Euro, critère de Maastricht, flexibilité du marché du travail, cycle d’expansion et de récession |
| JEL: | E42 E58 E61 E62 P20 |
| Date: | 2010–07–15 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:ecoaaa:790-en&r=cba |
| By: | Arby, Muhammad Farooq; Hanif , Muhammad Nadeem |
| Abstract: | The paper explores how the monetary and fiscal policies have coordinated with each other in Pakistan. It argues that monetary and fiscal policies have been executed independently throughout the study period that is 1964-65 to 2008-09 and there have been very few instances of coordination between the two policies while addressing prevailing economic conditions. The paper does not find any difference between the behavior of monetary and fiscal policies before and after the establishment of Monetary and Fiscal Policies Coordination Board in 1994. Whatever instances of coordination were found were clustered in military regimes; which may be one of the reasons of macroeconomic stability in such regimes. |
| Keywords: | Monetary Policy; Fiscal Policy; |
| JEL: | H30 E50 E61 |
| Date: | 2010 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:24160&r=cba |