Solving a non-linear model: The importance of model specification for deriving a suitable solution

Ric D. Herbert and Peter J. Stemp

Mathematics and Computers in Simulation (MATCOM), 2009, vol. 79, issue 9, 2847-2855

Abstract: In this paper, we consider a macroeconomic model with alternative linear and non-linear specifications. One version of the model, expressed in levels, is highly non-linear and has at least two steady-state equilibria. One of these equilibria has an economically meaningful interpretation, while the other does not have a sensible economic interpretation. A second version of the model, expressed in logarithms, is linear and has a unique steady-state equilibrium, which corresponds to the economically meaningful equilibrium of the non-linear version of the model. The dynamic solution of each model version has a combination of stable and unstable eigenvalues so that any dynamic solution requires the calculation of appropriate “jumps” in endogenous variables. Attempts to solve these models, using forward-shooting and reverse-shooting algorithms, show that the forward-shooting algorithm chooses the “wrong” solution for the non-linear model, but the “right” solution for the linear model. The reverse-shooting algorithm chooses the “right” solution in both cases. We demonstrate how this result is driven by particular properties of the two versions of the model.

Keywords: Macroeconomics; Forward-shooting; Reverse-shooting; Computational techniques (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2009
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:matcom:v:79:y:2009:i:9:p:2847-2855

DOI: 10.1016/j.matcom.2008.04.010

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