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Optimal Fiscal-Monetary Policy with Redistribution

Author

Listed:
  • Thomas Sargent

    (New York University)

  • Mikhail Golosov

    (Princeton University)

  • David Evans

    (University of Oregon)

  • anmol bhandari

    (university of minnesota)

Abstract

We study business cycles in a heterogeneous agent model with incomplete markets and sticky nominal prices (a modified HANK model (Kaplan et al. (2016))). Optimal fiscal-monetary policy balances gains from “fiscal hedging” against benefits flowing from a countervailing new motive – “redistributional hedging”. A fictitious planner uses inflation to offset adverse shocks to the cross-section distribution of labor earnings. A calibration that imitates how US recessions reshape that cross-section distribution (as documented by Guve- nen et al. (2014)) indicates that substantial welfare benefits come from moving inflation in response to aggregate shocks.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas Sargent & Mikhail Golosov & David Evans & anmol bhandari, 2017. "Optimal Fiscal-Monetary Policy with Redistribution," 2017 Meeting Papers 1245, Society for Economic Dynamics.
    • Handle: RePEc:red:sed017:1245
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hamish Low & Costas Meghir & Luigi Pistaferri, 2010. "Wage Risk and Employment Risk over the Life Cycle," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 100(4), pages 1432-1467, September.
    2. Lustig, Hanno & Sleet, Christopher & Yeltekin, Sevin, 2008. "Fiscal hedging with nominal assets," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 55(4), pages 710-727, May.
    3. Diamond, P. A., 1975. "A many-person Ramsey tax rule," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 4(4), pages 335-342, November.
    4. Kjetil Storesletten & Chris I. Telmer & Amir Yaron, 2001. "How Important Are Idiosyncratic Shocks? Evidence from Labor Supply," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 91(2), pages 413-417, May.
    5. Sbordone, Argia M., 2002. "Prices and unit labor costs: a new test of price stickiness," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 49(2), pages 265-292, March.
    6. Atkinson, A. B. & Stiglitz, J. E., 1976. "The design of tax structure: Direct versus indirect taxation," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 6(1-2), pages 55-75.
    7. Siu, Henry E., 2004. "Optimal fiscal and monetary policy with sticky prices," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 51(3), pages 575-607, April.
    8. Kydland, Finn E & Prescott, Edward C, 1977. "Rules Rather Than Discretion: The Inconsistency of Optimal Plans," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 85(3), pages 473-491, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Ivens, Annika, 2018. "Optimal fiscal policy under private debt deleveraging," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 1-18.
    2. Florin Bilbiie & Xavier Ragot, 2021. "Optimal Monetary Policy and Liquidity with Heterogeneous Households," Review of Economic Dynamics, Elsevier for the Society for Economic Dynamics, vol. 41, pages 71-95, July.
    3. Eunseong Ma, 2023. "Monetary Policy And Inequality: How Does One Affect The Other?," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 64(2), pages 691-725, May.
    4. Anmol Bhandari & David Evans & Mikhail Golosov & Thomas Sargent, 2019. "The Optimal Maturity of Government Debt," 2019 Meeting Papers 1011, Society for Economic Dynamics.
    5. Sergeyev, Dmitriy & Mehrotra, Neil, 2020. "Debt Sustainability in a Low Interest Rate World," CEPR Discussion Papers 15282, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    6. José Alves, 2021. "The Sinful Side of Taxation: Is it Possible to Satisfy the Government Hunger for Revenues While Promoting Economic Growth?," Hacienda Pública Española / Review of Public Economics, IEF, vol. 237(2), pages 85-109, June.
    7. repec:spo:wpecon:info:hdl:2441/j75mfllkr89c8aod1nr586ksc is not listed on IDEAS
    8. Nils Mattis Gornemann, 2018. "HANK meets Ramsey: Optimal Coordination of Monetary and Labor Market Policies," 2018 Meeting Papers 1252, Society for Economic Dynamics.
    9. repec:spo:wpmain:info:hdl:2441/j75mfllkr89c8aod1nr586ksc is not listed on IDEAS
    10. Bilbiie, Florin O., 2020. "The New Keynesian cross," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 90-108.

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