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Hysteresis and fiscal policy

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  • Engler, Philipp
  • Tervala, Juha

Abstract

Empirical studies support the hysteresis hypothesis that recessions have a permanent effect on the level of output. We analyze the implications of hysteresis for fiscal policy in a DSGE model. We assume a simple learning-by-doing mechanism where demand-driven changes in employment can affect the level of productivity permanently, leading to hysteresis in output. We show that the fiscal output multiplier is much larger in the presence of hysteresis and that the welfare multiplier of fiscal policy–the consumption equivalent change in welfare for one dollar change in public spending–is positive (negative) in the presence (absence) of hysteresis. The main benefit of accommodative fiscal policy in the presence of hysteresis is to diminish the damage of a recession to the long-term level of productivity and, thus, output.

Suggested Citation

  • Engler, Philipp & Tervala, Juha, 2018. "Hysteresis and fiscal policy," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 39-53.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:dyncon:v:93:y:2018:i:c:p:39-53
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jedc.2018.02.002
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    1. Giovanni Ganelli & Juha Tervala, 2020. "Welfare Multiplier of Public Investment," IMF Economic Review, Palgrave Macmillan;International Monetary Fund, vol. 68(2), pages 390-420, June.
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    4. House, Christopher L. & Proebsting, Christian & Tesar, Linda L., 2020. "Austerity in the aftermath of the great recession," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 37-63.
    5. Fatás, Antonio & Summers, Lawrence H., 2018. "The permanent effects of fiscal consolidations," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 238-250.
    6. Antonello D'Alessandro & Giulio Fella & Leonardo Melosi, 2019. "Fiscal Stimulus With Learning‐By‐Doing," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 60(3), pages 1413-1432, August.
    7. Tervala, Juha, 2021. "Hysteresis and the welfare costs of recessions," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 136-144.
    8. Boitani, Andrea & Punzo, Chiara, 2019. "Banks’ leverage behaviour in a two-agent new Keynesian model," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 347-359.
    9. Qiang Xu & Qianqian Hu & Tachia Chin & Chen Chen & Yi Shi & Jianxin Xu, 2019. "How Supply Chain Integration Affects Innovation in a Digital Age: Moderating Effects of Sustainable Policy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-17, October.
    10. Robert Calvert Jump & Paul Levine, 2021. "Hysteresis in the New Keynesian three equation model," School of Economics Discussion Papers 0821, School of Economics, University of Surrey.
    11. Schmöller, Michaela & McClung, Nigel, 2024. "Price stability and debt sustainability under endogenous trend growth," Bank of Finland Research Discussion Papers 2/2024, Bank of Finland.
    12. Schmöller, Michaela, 2022. "Endogenous technology, scarring and fiscal policy," Bank of Finland Research Discussion Papers 13/2022, Bank of Finland.
    13. Larch, Martin & Claeys, Peter & Van Der Wielen, Wouter, 2022. "The scarring effects of major economic downturns: The role of fiscal policy and government investment," EIB Working Papers 2022/14, European Investment Bank (EIB).
    14. Tervala, Juha & Watson, Timothy, 2022. "Hysteresis and fiscal stimulus in a recession," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).
    15. Sebastian Gechert, 2023. "Fiscal policy: post- or New Keynesian?," European Journal of Economics and Economic Policies: Intervention, Edward Elgar Publishing, vol. 20(2), pages 338-355, November.
    16. Miguel Leon-Ledesma & Katsuyuki Shibayama, 2023. "(Endogenous) Growth Slowdowns," Studies in Economics 2303, School of Economics, University of Kent.
    17. Wolfgang Lechthaler & Mewael F. Tesfaselassie, 2023. "Endogenous Growth, Skill Obsolescence, and Output Hysteresis in a New Keynesian Model with Unemployment," Journal of Money, Credit and Banking, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 55(8), pages 2187-2213, December.
    18. Koray Yıldırım & Neşe Algan & Harun Bal, 2024. "Investment Hysteresis: An Empirical Essay Turkish Case," Evaluation Review, , vol. 48(1), pages 143-176, February.
    19. Robert Calvert Jump & Engelbert Stockhammer, 2019. "Reconsidering the natural rate hypothesis," FMM Working Paper 45-2019, IMK at the Hans Boeckler Foundation, Macroeconomic Policy Institute.
    20. Lechthaler, Wolfgang & Tesfaselassie, Mewael F., 2021. "Endogenous growth, skill obsolescence and fiscal multipliers," Kiel Working Papers 2184, Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel).
    21. Jean-Marc Fournier & Philipp Lieberknecht, 2020. "A Model-based Fiscal Taylor Rule and a Toolkit to Assess the Fiscal Stance," IMF Working Papers 2020/033, International Monetary Fund.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Fiscal policy; Hysteresis; Learning by doing; Welfare;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E62 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Fiscal Policy; Modern Monetary Theory
    • F41 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - Open Economy Macroeconomics
    • F44 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - International Business Cycles

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