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Generational accounting in open economies

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  • Eric Fisher
  • Kenneth Kasa

Abstract

Using data on U.S. and Japanese government debt, we calibrate a version of Weil's (1989) model and study the international and intergenerational consequences of recent fiscal policy. Assuming debt/GDP ratios stabilize at current levels, the model implies: (1) the world real interest rate rises by fewer than two basis points; (2) the United States runs small but persistent external deficits; and (3) current generations in the United States experience a slight increase in wealth, while future generations both at home and abroad suffer analogous decreases. Most of the wealth effects are intergenerational rather than international.

Suggested Citation

  • Eric Fisher & Kenneth Kasa, 1997. "Generational accounting in open economies," Economic Review, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, pages 34-46.
    • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedfer:y:1997:p:34-46:n:3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Mark A. Roberts, 2013. "Pareto-improving pension reform through technological implementation," Scottish Journal of Political Economy, Scottish Economic Society, vol. 60(3), pages 317-342, July.
    2. Leachman, Lori L. & Francis, Bill B., 2000. "Multicointegration Analysis of the Sustainability of Foreign Debt," Journal of Macroeconomics, Elsevier, vol. 22(2), pages 207-227, April.
    3. Christian vom Lehn & Eric Fisher & Aspen Gorry, 2018. "Male Labor Supply and Generational Fiscal Policy," Review of Economic Dynamics, Elsevier for the Society for Economic Dynamics, vol. 28, pages 121-149, April.

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    Keywords

    Fiscal policy; Debts; Public;
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