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Volatility and welfare

Author

Listed:
  • Lester, Robert
  • Pries, Michael
  • Sims, Eric

Abstract

This paper explores the relationship between volatility and welfare. Even though households prefer smooth streams of consumption and leisure, welfare can be increasing in the volatility of an exogenous driving force if factor supply is sufficiently elastic. We provide some analytical results for a model without capital, and do some quantitative exercises in a model with capital and a variety of shocks. Welfare is greater in high shock volatility regimes under plausible parameter values. Augmenting the model with features that increase the elasticity of factor supply extends the range of parameters over which higher volatility results in greater welfare.

Suggested Citation

  • Lester, Robert & Pries, Michael & Sims, Eric, 2014. "Volatility and welfare," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 17-36.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:dyncon:v:38:y:2014:i:c:p:17-36
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jedc.2013.08.012
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Volatility; Welfare cost of business cycles;

    JEL classification:

    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles
    • E37 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Forecasting and Simulation: Models and Applications

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