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Learning Ricardian Equivalence

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  • Meissner, Thomas
  • Rostam-Afschar, Davud

Abstract

This paper tests whether subjects learn to comply with the Ricardian Equivalence proposition in a life cycle consumption laboratory experiment. Our results suggest that Ricardian Equivalence does not hold on average: tax changes have a significant and strong impact on consumption choice. Using individual consumption time series, the behaviour of 56% of our subjects can be classified as inconsistent with the Ricardian Equivalence proposition. Classifying subjects according to rules of thumb that best describe their behaviour, we find that subjects switch less to rules that theoretically violate Ricardian Equivalence in later rounds compared to earlier rounds. This implies that some subjects learn to comply with Ricardian Equivalence by changing their consumption strategy. However, the aggregate effect of taxation on consumption persists, even after eight rounds of repetition.

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  • Meissner, Thomas & Rostam-Afschar, Davud, 2017. "Learning Ricardian Equivalence," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 273-288.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:dyncon:v:82:y:2017:i:c:p:273-288
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jedc.2017.07.004
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    Cited by:

    1. Orland, Andreas & Rostam-Afschar, Davud, 2021. "Flexible work arrangements and precautionary behavior: Theory and experimental evidence," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 191(C), pages 442-481.
    2. Thomas Meissner, 2016. "Intertemporal consumption and debt aversion: an experimental study," Experimental Economics, Springer;Economic Science Association, vol. 19(2), pages 281-298, June.
    3. Duffy, John & Li, Yue, 2019. "Lifecycle consumption under different income profiles: Evidence and theory," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 74-94.
    4. 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.
    5. Steffen Ahrens & Ciril Bosch-Rosa & Thomas Meissner, 2022. "Intertemporal consumption and debt aversion: a replication and extension," Journal of the Economic Science Association, Springer;Economic Science Association, vol. 8(1), pages 56-84, December.
    6. Petr Frejlich & Helena Chytilová & Vojtěch Kotrba & Pavel Kotrba, 2023. "Experimentální ověření platnosti Barrovy-Ricardovy ekvivalence [Experimental Verification of Barro-Ricardo Equivalence Theorem]," Politická ekonomie, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2023(4), pages 366-389.
    7. Atdhetar Gara & Vese Qehaja-Keka & Abdylmenaf Bexheti & Arber Hoti & Driton Qehaja, 2024. "Impact of Fiscal Policy on Economic Growth: Evidence from South East European Countries," Economic Studies journal, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences - Economic Research Institute, issue 3, pages 65-77.
    8. Lu, Kelin, 2022. "Overreaction to capital taxation in saving decisions," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    9. Bachmann, Kremena & Lot, Andre & Xu, Xiaogeng & Hens, Thorsten, 2023. "Experimental Research on Retirement Decision-Making: Evidence from Replications," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Ricardian Equivalence; Rule of thumb consumers; Learning; Taxation; Life cycle laboratory experiment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • E21 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Consumption; Saving; Wealth
    • H24 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Personal Income and Other Nonbusiness Taxes and Subsidies
    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior

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