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The public debt multiplier

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  • Alice Albonico
  • Guido Ascari
  • Alessandro Gobbi

Abstract

We study the effects on economic activity of a pure temporary change in government debt and the relationship between the debt multiplier and the level of debt in an overlapping generations framework. The debt multiplier is positive but quite small during normal times while it is much larger during crises. Moreover, it increases with the steady state level of debt. Hence, the call for fiscal consolidation during recessions seems ill-advised. Finally, a rise in the steady state debt-to-GDP level increases the steady state real interest rate providing more room for manoeuvre to monetary policy to fight deflationary shocks.

Suggested Citation

  • Alice Albonico & Guido Ascari & Alessandro Gobbi, 2020. "The public debt multiplier," Papers 2010.15165, arXiv.org, revised Nov 2020.
    • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:2010.15165
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    2. Kollmann, Robert, 2022. "A tractable overlapping generations structure for quantitative DSGE models," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 221(C).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy
    • 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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