Resolving New Keynesian Anomalies with Wealth in the Utility Function

Pascal Michaillat and Emmanuel Saez

No 13775, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: The New Keynesian model makes several anomalous predictions at the zero lower bound: collapse of output and inflation, and implausibly large effects of forward guidance and government spending. To resolve these anomalies, we introduce wealth into the utility function. The justification is that wealth is a marker of social status, and people value social status. Since people save not only for future consumption but also to accrue social status, the Euler equation is modified. As a result, when the marginal utility of wealth is sufficiently large, the dynamical system representing the equilibrium at the zero lower bound becomes a source instead of a saddle—which resolves all the anomalies.

JEL-codes: E32 E52 E62 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019-06
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-mac and nep-upt
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (31)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Resolving New Keynesian Anomalies with Wealth in the Utility Function (2021)
Working Paper: Resolving New Keynesian Anomalies with Wealth in the Utility Function (2019)
Working Paper: Resolving New Keynesian Anomalies with Wealth in the Utility Function (2018)
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