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A New Keynesian Perspective on the Great Recession

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  • Peter N. Ireland

    (Boston College)

Abstract

With an estimated New Keynesian model, this paper compares the "great recession" of 2007-09 to its two immediate predecessors in 1990-91 and 2001. The model attributes all three downturns to a similar mix of aggregate demand and supply disturbances. The most recent series of adverse shocks lasted longer and became more severe, however, prolonging and deepening the great recession. In addition, the zero lower bound on the nominal interest rate prevented monetary policy from stabilizing the US economy as it had previously; counterfactual simulations suggest that without this constraint, output would have recovered sooner and more quickly in 2009.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter N. Ireland, 2010. "A New Keynesian Perspective on the Great Recession," Boston College Working Papers in Economics 735, Boston College Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:boc:bocoec:735
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    recession; New Keynesian; zero lower bound;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles
    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy

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