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Fiscal Policy and Energy Price Shocks

Author

Listed:
  • Alkis Blanz

    (University of Potsdam, MCC Berlin)

  • Ulrich Eydam

    (University of Potsdam)

  • Maik Heinemann

    (University of Potsdam)

  • Matthias Kalkuhl

    (University of Potsdam, MCC Berlin)

  • Nikolaj Moretti

    (University of Potsdam, MCC Berlin)

Abstract

The effects of energy price increases are heterogeneous between households and firms. Financially constrained poorer households, who spend a larger relative share of their income on energy, are particularly affected. In this analysis, we examine the macroeconomic and welfare effects of energy price shocks in the presence of credit-constrained households that have subsistence-level energy demand. Within a Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium (DSGE) model calibrated for the German economy, we compare the performance of different policy measures (transfers and energy subsidies) and different financing schemes (income tax vs. debt). Our results show that credit-constrained households prefer debt over tax financing regardless of the compensation measure due to their difficulty to smooth consumption. On the contrary, rich households tend to prefer tax-financed measures as they increase the labor supply of poor households. From an aggregate perspective, tax-financed measures targeting firms effectively cushion aggregate output losses.

Suggested Citation

  • Alkis Blanz & Ulrich Eydam & Maik Heinemann & Matthias Kalkuhl & Nikolaj Moretti, 2023. "Fiscal Policy and Energy Price Shocks," CEPA Discussion Papers 70, Center for Economic Policy Analysis.
    • Handle: RePEc:pot:cepadp:70
    DOI: 10.25932/publishup-61276
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    3. Mr. Anil Ari & Mr. Nicolas Arregui & Mr. Simon Black & Oya Celasun & Ms. Dora M Iakova & Ms. Aiko Mineshima & Mr. Victor Mylonas & Ian W.H. Parry & Iulia Teodoru & Karlygash Zhunussova, 2022. "Surging Energy Prices in Europe in the Aftermath of the War: How to Support the Vulnerable and Speed up the Transition Away from Fossil Fuels," IMF Working Papers 2022/152, International Monetary Fund.
    4. Auclert, Adrien & Monnery, Hugo & Rognlie, Matthew & Straub, Ludwig, 2023. "Managing an Energy Shock: Fiscal and Monetary Policy," CEPR Discussion Papers 18340, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    5. Pieroni, Valerio, 2023. "Energy shortages and aggregate demand: Output loss and unequal burden from HANK," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
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    Keywords

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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
    • E64 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Incomes Policy; Price Policy
    • H31 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - Household
    • H32 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - Firm
    • Q43 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Energy and the Macroeconomy
    • Q52 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Pollution Control Adoption and Costs; Distributional Effects; Employment Effects

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