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Public debt as private liquidity: optimal policy

Author

Listed:
  • George-Marios Angeletos

    (Northwestern University [Evanston])

  • Fabrice Collard

    (TSE-R - Toulouse School of Economics - UT Capitole - Université Toulouse Capitole - Comue de Toulouse - Communauté d'universités et établissements de Toulouse - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement, CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Harris Dellas

    (UNIBE - Universität Bern = University of Bern = Université de Berne)

Abstract

We study optimal policy in an economy where interest rates are low because public debt serves as collateral or buffer stock. Issuing more public debt raises welfare by easing the underlying friction but also reduces the private valuation of this service, raising interest rates. This trade-off shapes the optimal quantity of public debt in the long run, justifies a departure from tax smoothing in the short run, and calls for larger deficits during financial crises. Our analysis illustrates the possible robustness of these insights to different microfoundations and helps clarify when exactly low interest rates represent an opportunity for cheap government borrowing.

Suggested Citation

  • George-Marios Angeletos & Fabrice Collard & Harris Dellas, 2023. "Public debt as private liquidity: optimal policy," Post-Print hal-04315922, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04315922
    DOI: 10.1086/725170
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-04315922v1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    JEL classification:

    • E62 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Fiscal Policy; Modern Monetary Theory

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