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Fiscal stimulus and systematic monetary policy: Postwar evidence for the United States

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  • Rüth, Sebastian K.

Abstract

I provide structural VAR evidence that U.S. fiscal stimulus programs induce a systematic loosening of interest rates outside of zero-lower-bound episodes. I characterize this policy easing by the Fed as an indirect reaction to disinflationary dynamics unleashed by fiscal stimulus—a finding I corroborate via Taylor-rule estimations. The supporting monetary policy stance amplifies the impact of the expansion in public spending on GDP by roughly one-third. My evidence aligns with fiscal policy models featuring deep-habits in consumption. The empirical regularity of accommodating policy rates, moreover, questions the perception of stimulus being more effective when policy rates are stuck at zero.

Suggested Citation

  • Rüth, Sebastian K., 2018. "Fiscal stimulus and systematic monetary policy: Postwar evidence for the United States," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 173(C), pages 92-96.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:173:y:2018:i:c:p:92-96
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2018.09.015
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    Cited by:

    1. Klein, Mathias & Linnemann, Ludger, 2020. "The time-varying effect of fiscal policy on inflation: Evidence from historical US data," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 186(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Government spending shocks; Systematic monetary policy; Fiscal foresight; Deep-habits; Shock propagation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E30 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - General (includes Measurement and Data)
    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy
    • H30 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - General

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