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Business Cycle Volatility in Developed Market Economies, 1870-1986: Revisions and Conjectures

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  • Morris Altman

    (University of Saskatchewan)

Abstract

Alternative estimates for the volatility of pre-depression and post-World War II Canadian business cycles are constructed using various real Canadian GNP series. These estimates all suggest that the latter period was prone to much less cyclical volatility than the pre-depression years. With few exceptions, similar results are obtained from volatility estimates produced for thirteen other now-developed nations, including the United States. These findings provide evidential support for the traditional view that there was a considerable dampening of the business cycle in the years following World War II period compared to the pre-depression period.

Suggested Citation

  • Morris Altman, 1992. "Business Cycle Volatility in Developed Market Economies, 1870-1986: Revisions and Conjectures," Eastern Economic Journal, Eastern Economic Association, vol. 18(3), pages 259-275, Summer.
  • Handle: RePEc:eej:eeconj:v:18:y:1992:i:3:p:259-275
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Nabil ALIMI, 2016. "The Effect Of Economic Freedom On Business Cycle Volatility: Case Of Developing Countries," Region et Developpement, Region et Developpement, LEAD, Universite du Sud - Toulon Var, vol. 43, pages 139-158.
    2. Afonso, António & Furceri, Davide, 2010. "Government size, composition, volatility and economic growth," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 26(4), pages 517-532, December.
    3. Alimi, Nabil, 2016. "Volatility and growth in developing countries: An asymmetric effect," The Journal of Economic Asymmetries, Elsevier, vol. 14(PB), pages 179-188.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Business Cycles; Cycle; Depression; GNP;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles
    • N10 - Economic History - - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics; Industrial Structure; Growth; Fluctuations - - - General, International, or Comparative

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