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Experimental Tests of Ricardian Equivalence

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  • Cadsby, Charles Bram
  • Frank, Murray

Abstract

This study employs laboratory experiments to test aspects of Ricardian equivalence. An overlapping generations model forms the basis of the experimental design. Whenever Ricardian equivalence predicts a positive bequest, outcomes close to those predicted occur, after allowance for learning. Observed deviations from Ricardian equilibrium are small, but biased in a Keynesian direction: changes in bequests do not fully offset changes in government debt. The imposition of a binding nonnegativity constraint on bequests produces the predicted neoclassical behavior. The cost to the players of deviations from the theoretical equilibrium is apparently an important determinant of the variability of observed deviations. Copyright 1991 by Oxford University Press.

Suggested Citation

  • Cadsby, Charles Bram & Frank, Murray, 1991. "Experimental Tests of Ricardian Equivalence," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 29(4), pages 645-664, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:oup:ecinqu:v:29:y:1991:i:4:p:645-64
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    Cited by:

    1. Hayo, Bernd & Neumeier, Florian, 2017. "The (In)validity of the Ricardian equivalence theorem–findings from a representative German population survey," Journal of Macroeconomics, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 162-174.
    2. Meissner, Thomas & Rostam-Afschar, Davud, 2017. "Learning Ricardian Equivalence," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 273-288.
    3. Marco Battaglini & Salvatore Nunnari & Thomas R Palfrey, 2020. "The Political Economy of Public Debt: A Laboratory Study," Journal of the European Economic Association, European Economic Association, vol. 18(4), pages 1969-2012.
    4. Ricciuti, Roberto, 2008. "Bringing macroeconomics into the lab," Journal of Macroeconomics, Elsevier, vol. 30(1), pages 216-237, March.
    5. John Duffy, 2008. "Macroeconomics: A Survey of Laboratory Research," Working Paper 334, Department of Economics, University of Pittsburgh, revised Jun 2014.
    6. Kirchsteiger, Georg & Mantovani, Marco & Mauleon, Ana & Vannetelbosch, Vincent, 2016. "Limited farsightedness in network formation," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 97-120.
    7. Roberto Ricciuti, 2003. "Assessing Ricardian Equivalence," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 17(1), pages 55-78, February.
    8. Leif Helland & Jon Hovi & Lars Monkerud, 2012. "Can exit prizes induce lame ducks to shirk less? Experimental evidence," European Journal of Government and Economics, Europa Grande, vol. 1(2), pages 106-125, December.
    9. Ian P. Cassar & Kurt Davison & Christian Xuereb, 2018. "Does the Ricardian Equivalence Theorem Capture the Consumption Behavior of Maltese Households?," International Journal of Economics and Finance, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 10(12), pages 1-77, December.
    10. Luigi Mittone & Matteo Tomaselli, 2019. "Economic Growth and Public Debt: An Experimental Approach in Search of a Confidence Channel," DEM Working Papers 2019/18, Department of Economics and Management.
    11. Roberto Tamborini & Matteo Tomaselli, 2020. "When does public debt impair economic growth? A literature review in search of a theory," DEM Working Papers 2020/7, Department of Economics and Management.
    12. Toshiaki Hiromitsu, 2019. "Consideration of keys to solving problems in long-term fiscal policy through laboratory research," International Journal of Economic Policy Studies, Springer, vol. 13(1), pages 147-172, January.
    13. Geiger, Martin & Luhan, Wolfgang J. & Scharler, Johann, 2016. "When do fiscal consolidations lead to consumption booms? Lessons from a laboratory experiment," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 1-20.
    14. Bolton, Gary E. & Katok, Elena, 1998. "An experimental test of the crowding out hypothesis: The nature of beneficent behavior," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 37(3), pages 315-331, November.
    15. repec:egr:ejge00:v:1:i:1:p:106-125 is not listed on IDEAS
    16. T. D. Stanley, 1998. "New Wine in Old Bottles: A Meta‐Analysis of Ricardian Equivalence," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 64(3), pages 713-727, January.
    17. repec:ebl:ecbull:v:8:y:2003:i:11:p:1-11 is not listed on IDEAS
    18. Baboo M Nowbutsing, 2012. "Experiments in International Economics," Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies, AMH International, vol. 4(2), pages 75-86.
    19. Artidiatun Adji & James Alm & Paul J. Ferraro, 2009. "Experimental tests of Ricardian equivalence with distortionary versus nondistortionary taxes," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 29(4), pages 2556-2572.

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