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Monetary policy, agent heterogeneity and inequality: insights from a three-agent New Keynesian model

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  • Eskelinen, Maria

Abstract

In this paper I develop a New Keynesian dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model which features three different types of representative agents (THRANK): the poor hand-to-mouth, the wealthy hand-to-mouth and the non-hand-to mouth households. Compared to a full-scale HANK model, this model is easier to compute while reproducing many of the same monetary policy shock transmission channels. I show that monetary policy transmission takes place through a redistribution channel, as emphasised by Auclert (2019). In particular, the effects of a monetary policy shock are amplified as resources are redistributed from high-MPC households to low-MPC households. Monetary policy therefore becomes more effective compared to models with homogeneous MPC rates. Consumption inequality is countercyclical in this setting and a high degree of leverage amplifies the redistribution channel. These findings have important implications for understanding the effects of both monetary and macroprudential policy. JEL Classification: D31, E12, E21, E43, E52

Suggested Citation

  • Eskelinen, Maria, 2021. "Monetary policy, agent heterogeneity and inequality: insights from a three-agent New Keynesian model," Working Paper Series 2590, European Central Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:ecb:ecbwps:20212590
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Pavel Vikharev & Anna Novak & Andrei Shulgin, 2023. "Inequality and monetary policy: THRANK model," Bank of Russia Working Paper Series wps113, Bank of Russia.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    household heterogeneity; housing market; inequality; monetary policy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • E12 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General Aggregative Models - - - Keynes; Keynesian; Post-Keynesian; Modern Monetary Theory
    • E21 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Consumption; Saving; Wealth
    • E43 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Interest Rates: Determination, Term Structure, and Effects
    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy

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