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The Fiscal Theory of the Price Level: Identifying Restrictions and Empirical Evidence

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  • Luca Sala

Abstract

This paper aims to test some implications of the fiscal theory of the price level (FTPL). We develop a model similar to Leeper (1991) and Woodford (1996), but extended so to generate real effects of fiscal policy also in the "Ricardian" regime, via an OLG demographic structure. We test on the data the predictions of the FTPL as incorporated in the model. We find that the US fiscal policy in the period 1960-1979 can be classified as "Non-Ricardian", while it is "Ricardian" since 1990. According to our analysis, the fiscal theory of the price level characterizes one phase of the post-war US history.

Suggested Citation

  • Luca Sala, 2004. "The Fiscal Theory of the Price Level: Identifying Restrictions and Empirical Evidence," Working Papers 257, IGIER (Innocenzo Gasparini Institute for Economic Research), Bocconi University.
    • Handle: RePEc:igi:igierp:257
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    Cited by:

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    2. Bénassy, Jean-Pascal, 2008. "The Fiscal Theory Of The Price Level Puzzle: A Non-Ricardian View," Macroeconomic Dynamics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 12(S1), pages 31-44, April.
    3. Forni, Lorenzo & Monteforte, Libero & Sessa, Luca, 2009. "The general equilibrium effects of fiscal policy: Estimates for the Euro area," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 93(3-4), pages 559-585, April.
    4. Antonio Afonso & Hüseyin Sen & Ayse Kaya, 2021. "Government Size, Unemployment and Inflation Nexus in Eight Large Emerging Market Economies," Hacienda Pública Española / Review of Public Economics, IEF, vol. 235(1), pages 133-170, March.
    5. Canzoneri, Matthew B & Cumby, Robert & Diba, Behzad & López-Salido, J David, 2008. "Monetary and Fiscal Policy Coordination when Bonds Provide Transactions Services," CEPR Discussion Papers 6814, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    6. António Afonso, 2008. "Ricardian fiscal regimes in the European Union," Empirica, Springer;Austrian Institute for Economic Research;Austrian Economic Association, vol. 35(3), pages 313-334, July.
    7. Hess Chung & Troy Davig & Eric M. Leeper, 2007. "Monetary and Fiscal Policy Switching," Journal of Money, Credit and Banking, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 39(4), pages 809-842, June.
    8. Obinyeluaku, Moses & Viegi, Nicola, 2009. "How does fiscal policy affect monetary policy in the Southern African Community (SADC)?," MPRA Paper 15372, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    9. International Monetary Fund, 2008. "Fiscal and Monetary Anchors for Price Stability: Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa," IMF Working Papers 2008/121, International Monetary Fund.
    10. Paramita Mukherjee & Dipankor Coondoo, 2019. "The Indian Inflation 2006–2016: An Econometric Investigation," South Asia Economic Journal, Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka, vol. 20(1), pages 46-69, March.
    11. Moreira, Tito Belchior S. & e Souza, Geraldo da Silva & Almeida, Charles Lima de, 2007. "The Fiscal Theory of the Price Level and the Interaction of Monetary and Fiscal Policies: The Brazilian Case," Brazilian Review of Econometrics, Sociedade Brasileira de Econometria - SBE, vol. 27(1), May.
    12. Óscar J. Arce, 2005. "Reflections on fiscalist divergent price-paths," Working Papers 0533, Banco de España.
    13. Moreira, Tito Belchior S., 2011. "Brazil: an empirical study on fiscal policy transmission," Revista CEPAL, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL), April.

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