Journal of Economic Theory and Econometrics: Journal of the Korean Econometric Society
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Journal of Economic Theory and Econometrics
JETEM/계량경제학보/計量經濟學報/JKES
Journal of the Korean Econometric Society

Analyzing Macroeconomic Effects of Government Debt Using Dynamic General Equilibrium Model

Vol.24, No.4, December , 366–392


English Version |  Korean Version
  •   (Sungkyunkwan University)

  •   (Seoul National University)

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Abstract  

This paper uses a dynamic general equilibrium model with government sector and analyzes short-run and long-run macroeconomic effects of government debt caused by either increases in government spending or decreases in various tax rates. The simulation results suggest several channels that government debt can negatively affect the economy: First, liquidity premium caused by an increase in government debt increases interest rate and decreases investment, and therefore lowers output and welfare in the long run. This is the most significant negative channel in this model. Second, when government spending builds up public capital, an increase in government debt temporarily crowds out private sector capital, which reduces output and welfare in the short run. Third, when government spending affects neither public sector capital nor household utility, an increase in government debt reduces consumption and increases labor input, thereby reducing social welfare. In addition, if the increase in government debt is caused by a decrease in tax rates, positive effects can dominate.


Keywords
   fiscal deficit, government debt, dynamic model, liquidity premium, public capital

JEL classification codes
   E6
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