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Near-Rational Equilibria in Heterogeneous-Agent Models: A Verification Method

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  • Leonid Kogan
  • Indrajit Mitra

Abstract

We propose a general simulation-based procedure for estimating the quality of approximate policies in heterogeneous-agent equilibrium models, which allows verification that such approximate solutions describe a near-rational equilibrium. Our procedure endows agents with superior knowledge of the future path of the economy, while imposing a suitable penalty for such foresight. The relaxed problem is more tractable than the original, and it results in an upper bound on agents’ welfare. Our method is general and straightforward to implement, and it can be used in conjunction with various solution algorithms. We illustrate our approach in two applications: the incomplete-markets model of Krusell and Smith (1998) and the heterogeneous firm model of Khan and Thomas (2008).

Suggested Citation

  • Leonid Kogan & Indrajit Mitra, 2021. "Near-Rational Equilibria in Heterogeneous-Agent Models: A Verification Method," FRB Atlanta Working Paper 2021-16, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.
    • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedawp:92860
    DOI: 10.29338/wp2021-16
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    numerical solutions; accuracy; approximations; simulations;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E24 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Employment; Unemployment; Wages; Intergenerational Income Distribution; Aggregate Human Capital; Aggregate Labor Productivity
    • E62 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Fiscal Policy; Modern Monetary Theory
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply

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