The short- and long-run damages of fiscal austerity: Keynes beyond Schumpeter

Arbeitspapier

In this work we analyze the short- and long-run effects of fiscal austerity policies, employing an agent-based model populated by heterogeneous, boundedly-rational firms and banks. The model, in line with the family of "Keynes+Schumpeter" formalism, is able to account for a wide array of macro and micro empirical regularities. In particular, it endogenously generates self-sustained growth patterns together with persistent economic fluctuations punctuated by deep downturns. On the policy side, we find that austerity policies considerably harm the economy, by increasing output volatility, unemployment, and the incidence of crises. In addition, they depress innovation and the diffusion of new technologies, thus reducing long-run productivity and GDP growth. Finally, we show that "discipline-guided" fiscal rules are self-defeating, as they do not stabilize public finances, but, on the contrary, they disrupt them.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: LEM Working Paper Series ; No. 2014/22

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Computational Techniques; Simulation Modeling ; Business Fluctuations; Cycles ; Financial Crises ; Banks; Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
• Subject: agent-based model ; fiscal policy ; economic crises ; austerity policies ; disequilibrium dynamics

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Dosi, Giovanni ; Napoletano, Andrea ; Roventini, Andrea ; Treibich, Tania
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Laboratory of Economics and Management (LEM)
• (where): Pisa
• (when): 2014

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/119841
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:42 AM CET