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Design limits and dynamic policy analysis

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  • Brock, William A.
  • Durlauf, Steven N.
  • Rondina, Giacomo

Abstract

This paper characterizes the frequency domain properties of feedback control rules in linear systems in order to better understand how different policies affect outcomes frequency by frequency. We are especially concerned in understanding how reductions of variance at some frequencies induce increases in variance at others. Tradeoffs of this type are known in the control literature as design limits. Design limits are important in understanding the full range of effects of macroeconomic stabilization policies. We extend existing results to account for discrete time bivariate systems with rational expectations. Application is made to the evaluation of monetary policy rules.

Suggested Citation

  • Brock, William A. & Durlauf, Steven N. & Rondina, Giacomo, 2013. "Design limits and dynamic policy analysis," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 37(12), pages 2710-2728.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:dyncon:v:37:y:2013:i:12:p:2710-2728
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jedc.2013.07.008
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    Cited by:

    1. Joseph Haslag & William Brock, 2014. "On Understanding the Cyclical Behavior of the Price Level and Inflation," Working Papers 1404, Department of Economics, University of Missouri, revised 01 Jul 2014.
    2. Brock, William A. & Durlauf, Steven N. & Nason, James M. & Rondina, Giacomo, 2007. "Simple versus optimal rules as guides to policy," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 54(5), pages 1372-1396, July.
    3. Luís Aguiar-Conraria & Manuel M. F. Martins & Maria Joana Soares, 2019. "The Phillips Curve at 60: time for time and frequency," NIPE Working Papers 04/2019, NIPE - Universidade do Minho.
    4. Crowley, Patrick M. & Hallett, Andrew Hughes, 2018. "What causes business cycles to elongate, or recessions to intensify?," Journal of Macroeconomics, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 338-349.
    5. Lubik, Thomas A. & Matthes, Christian & Verona, Fabio, 2019. "Assessing U.S. aggregate fluctuations across time and frequencies," Bank of Finland Research Discussion Papers 5/2019, Bank of Finland.
    6. Aguiar-Conraria, Luís & Martins, Manuel M.F. & Soares, Maria Joana, 2020. "Okun’s Law across time and frequencies," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    7. Beatrice Pataracchia, 2008. "Design Limits in Regime-Switching Cases," Department of Economics University of Siena 529, Department of Economics, University of Siena.
    8. Yu, Xiangrong, 2013. "Measurement error and policy evaluation in the frequency domain," Journal of Macroeconomics, Elsevier, vol. 38(PB), pages 307-329.
    9. Brock, William A. & Haslag, Joseph H., 2016. "A tale of two correlations: Evidence and theory regarding the phase shift between the price level and output," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 40-57.
    10. Pataracchia, Beatrice, 2011. "The spectral representation of Markov switching ARMA models," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 112(1), pages 11-15, July.
    11. P. Seiler & B. Taub, 2008. "The dynamics of strategic information flows in stock markets," Finance and Stochastics, Springer, vol. 12(1), pages 43-82, January.
    12. repec:zbw:bofrdp:2019_012 is not listed on IDEAS
    13. Rhys M. Bidder, 2013. "Frequency shifting," Working Paper Series 2013-29, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.
    14. Luís Aguiar-Conraria & Manuel M. F. Martins & Maria Joana Soares, 2019. "The Phillips Curve at 60: time for time and frequency," CEF.UP Working Papers 1902, Universidade do Porto, Faculdade de Economia do Porto.
    15. Lucia Alessi & Matteo Barigozzi & Marco Capasso, 2007. "A Review of Nonfundamentalness and Identification in Structural VAR Models," LEM Papers Series 2007/22, Laboratory of Economics and Management (LEM), Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy.
    16. William A. Brock & Steven N. Durlauf & Giacomo Rondina, 2008. "Frequency-Specific Effects of Stabilization Policies," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 98(2), pages 241-245, May.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Design limits; Stabilization policy; Frequency domain; Monetary policy rules;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C52 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Model Evaluation, Validation, and Selection
    • E6 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook

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