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Government spending policy uncertainty and economic activity: US time series evidence

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  • Kim, Wongi
Abstract
In this paper, I empirically examine how uncertainty about government spending policy affects economic activity by using US time series data. To this end, I build government spending policy uncertainty indexes and estimate a proxy structural vector autoregression (VAR) model. The model shows that an increase in government spending policy uncertainty has negative, sizable, and prolonged effects on economic activity. Firms’ external financing premiums seem to be an important transmission channel of government spending policy uncertainty shocks. The results also imply that the standard recursive VAR model systematically underestimates the adverse effect of government spending policy uncertainty. I also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the proxy VAR versus the sign restriction VAR.

Suggested Citation

  • Kim, Wongi, 2019. "Government spending policy uncertainty and economic activity: US time series evidence," Journal of Macroeconomics, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 1-1.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jmacro:v:61:y:2019:i:c:9
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jmacro.2019.103124
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Policy uncertainty; Government spending policy uncertainty shock; Proxy SVAR;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C32 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Time-Series Models; Dynamic Quantile Regressions; Dynamic Treatment Effect Models; Diffusion Processes; State Space Models
    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles
    • E62 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Fiscal Policy; Modern Monetary Theory

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