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Maximum Sustainable Government Debt in the Overlapping Generations Model

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  • Neil Rankin
  • Barbara Roffia

Abstract

The theoretical determinants of maximum sustainable government debt are investigated using Diamond's overlapping generations model. A level of debt is defined to be ‘sustainable’ if a steady state with non‐degenerate values of economic variables exists. We show that a maximum sustainable level of debt almost always exists, and it normally occurs where variables such as capital are in the interiors, rather than at the limits, of their economically feasible ranges. This leads to a situation where, when debt is at its maximum, a further infinitesimal increase in debt causes a ‘catastrophe’, i.e. the economy embarks on a path of unchecked capital decumulation.

Suggested Citation

  • Neil Rankin & Barbara Roffia, 2003. "Maximum Sustainable Government Debt in the Overlapping Generations Model," Manchester School, University of Manchester, vol. 71(3), pages 217-241, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:manchs:v:71:y:2003:i:3:p:217-241
    DOI: 10.1111/1467-9957.00344
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nielsen, Soren Bo, 1992. "A note on the sustainability of primary budget deficits," Journal of Macroeconomics, Elsevier, vol. 14(4), pages 745-754.
    2. Laurence J. Kotlikoff & Laurence J. Kotlikoff & Willi Leibfritz, 1999. "From Deficit Delusion to the Fiscal Balance Rule: Looking for an Economically Meaningful Way to Assess Fiscal Policy," NBER Chapters, in: Generational Accounting around the World, pages 9-30, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. Christ, Carl F, 1979. "On Fiscal and Monetary Policies and the Government Budget Restraint," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 69(4), pages 526-538, September.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • E62 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Fiscal Policy; Modern Monetary Theory
    • H63 - Public Economics - - National Budget, Deficit, and Debt - - - Debt; Debt Management; Sovereign Debt

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