The Fiscal Theory of the Price Level in Overlapping Generations Models

Roger Farmer and Pawel Zabczyk

No 39, 2019 Meeting Papers from Society for Economic Dynamics

Abstract: We demonstrate that the Fiscal Theory of the Price Level (FTPL) cannot be used to determine the price level uniquely in the overlapping generations (OLG) model. We provide two examples of OLG models, one with 3-period lives and one with 62-period lives. Both examples are calibrated to an income profile chosen to match the life-cycle earnings process in U.S. data estimated by Guvenen et al. (2015). In both examples, there exist multiple steady-state equilibria. Our findings challenge established views about what constitutes a good combination of fiscal and monetary policies. As long as the primary deficit or the primary surplus is not too large, the fiscal authority can conduct policies that are unresponsive to endogenous changes in the level of its outstanding debt. Monetary and fiscal policy can both be active at the same time.

Date: 2019
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-dge and nep-mon
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Working Paper: The Fiscal Theory of the Price Level in Overlapping Generations Models (2019)
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