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Nominal versus Indexed Debt: A Quantitative Horse Race

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Author Info
Laura Alfaro
Fabio Kanczuk

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Abstract

The main arguments in favor and against nominal and indexed debt are the incentive to default through inflation versus hedging against unforeseen shocks. We model and calibrate these arguments to assess their quantitative importance. We use a dynamic equilibrium model with tax distortion, government outlays uncertainty, and contingent-debt service. Our framework also recognizes that contingent debt can be associated with incentive problems and lack of commitment. Thus, the benefits of unexpected inflation are tempered by higher interest rates. We obtain that costs from inflation more than offset the benefits from reducing tax distortions. We further discuss sustainability of nominal debt in developing (volatile) countries.

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Paper provided by National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc in its series NBER Working Papers with number 13131.

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Date of creation: May 2007
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Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:13131

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Find related papers by JEL classification:
E6 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook
H63 - Public Economics - - National Budget, Deficit, and Debt - - - Debt; Debt Management

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  21. Javier Díaz-Giménez & Giorgia Giovannetti & Ramon Marimon & Pedro Teles, 2003. "Nominal Debt as a Burden on Monetary Policy," Economics Working Papers 841, Department of Economics and Business, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, revised Jan 2006. [Downloadable!]
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