Challenges for Central Banks’ Macro Models

Lindé, J., Frank Smets and Raf Wouters
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Jesper Lindé

Chapter Chapter 28 in Handbook of Macroeconomics, 2016, vol. 2, pp 2185-2262 from Elsevier

Abstract: In this chapter, we discuss a number of challenges for structural macroeconomic models in the light of the Great Recession and its aftermath. It shows that a benchmark DSGE model that shares many features with models currently used by central banks and large international institutions has difficulty explaining both the depth and the slow recovery of the Great Recession. In order to better account for these observations, the chapter analyses three extensions of the benchmark model. First, we estimate the model allowing explicitly for the zero lower bound constraint on nominal interest rates. Second, we introduce time variation in the volatility of the exogenous disturbances to account for the non-Gaussian nature of some of the shocks. Third and finally, we extend the model with a financial accelerator and allow for time variation in the endogenous propagation of financial shocks. All three extensions require that we go beyond the linear Gaussian assumptions that are standard in most policy models. We conclude that these extensions go some way in accounting for features of the Great Recession and its aftermath, but they do not suffice to address some of the major policy challenges associated with the use of nonstandard monetary policy and macroprudential policies.

Keywords: Monetary policy; DSGE, and VAR models; Regime switching; Zero lower bound; Financial frictions; Great recession; Macroprudential policy; Open economy; E52; E58 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (16)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:macchp:v2-2185

DOI: 10.1016/bs.hesmac.2016.04.009

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