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Computing Markov-Perfect Optimal Policies in Business-Cycle Models

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  • Dennis, Richard
  • Kirsanova, Tatiana
Abstract
Time-inconsistency is an essential feature of many policy problems (Kydland and Prescott, 1977). This paper presents and compares three methods for computing Markov-perfect optimal policies in stochastic nonlinear business cycle models. The methods considered include value function iteration, generalized Euler-equations, and parameterized shadow prices. In the context of a business cycle model in which a scal authority chooses government spending and income taxation optimally, while lacking the ability to commit, we show that the solutions obtained using value function iteration and generalized Euler equations are somewhat more accurate than that obtained using parameterized shadow prices. Among these three methods, we show that value function iteration can be applied easily, even to environments that include a risk-sensitive scal authority and/or inequality constraints on government spending. We show that the risk-sensitive scal authority lowers government spending and income-taxation, reducing the disincentive households face to accumulate wealth.

Suggested Citation

  • Dennis, Richard & Kirsanova, Tatiana, 2014. "Computing Markov-Perfect Optimal Policies in Business-Cycle Models," SIRE Discussion Papers 2015-64, Scottish Institute for Research in Economics (SIRE).
    • Handle: RePEc:edn:sirdps:672
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10943/672
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    Cited by:

    1. Alfred Duncan & Charles Nolan, 2015. "Objectives and Challenges of Macroprudential Policy," Working Papers 2015_22, Business School - Economics, University of Glasgow.
    2. Dennis, Richard, 2022. "Computing time-consistent equilibria: A perturbation approach," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Markov-Perfect Policy; Time-Consistency; Fiscal Policy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E62 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Fiscal Policy; Modern Monetary Theory
    • C61 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Optimization Techniques; Programming Models; Dynamic Analysis
    • C63 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Computational Techniques

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