Parameter Heterogeneity, Persistence and Cross-Sectional Dependence: New Insights on Fiscal Policy Reaction Functions for the Euro Area

Quaderni - Working Paper DSE N° 1120

49 Pages Posted: 24 Apr 2018

See all articles by Roberto Golinelli

Roberto Golinelli

University of Bologna - Department of Economics

Irene Mammi

Ca' Foscari University of Venice

Antonio Musolesi

University of Ferrara & CERIS CNR, Italy; CESAER INRA, UMR, France

Date Written: April 4, 2018

Abstract

A number of novelties have emerged in the study of the discretionary fiscal policy within the Euro area during the last decade. Among the others, the availability of up-to-date information on fiscal indicators for the years following the Great Recession, the introduction of cutting-edge econometric methods, and a renewed interest about the sustainability of fiscal policy and public debt. The aim of this paper is to address the challenges posed by the estimation of the discretionary fiscal reaction function for the Euro area. We exploit recently introduced testing and estimation strategies for heterogeneous dynamic panels with cross-sectional dependence and propose a new parsimonious approach. Using real-time data over the period 1996-2016, we investigate whether the fiscal policy reaction function is still a benchmark after the Great Recession. We find evidence of strong cross- sectional dependence in the panel, and clear support to a valid cointegration relationship among the main determinants of the function. Newly added covariates, such interest rate spreads, come out to play a relevant role in explaining discretionary actions.

Keywords: dynamic panel models, panel integration and cointegration, heterogeneous parameters, common correlated effects, Euro area countries, fiscal policy reaction functions, real-time data

JEL Classification: E62, E61, H60, D80, C33

Suggested Citation

Golinelli, Roberto and Mammi, Irene and Musolesi, Antonio, Parameter Heterogeneity, Persistence and Cross-Sectional Dependence: New Insights on Fiscal Policy Reaction Functions for the Euro Area (April 4, 2018). Quaderni - Working Paper DSE N° 1120, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3156879 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3156879

Roberto Golinelli (Contact Author)

University of Bologna - Department of Economics ( email )

Strada Maggiore 45
Bologna, 40125
Italy
+39 051 209 2638 (Phone)
+39 051 209 2664 (Fax)

Irene Mammi

Ca' Foscari University of Venice ( email )

Dorsoduro 3246
Venice, Veneto 30123
Italy

Antonio Musolesi

University of Ferrara & CERIS CNR, Italy; CESAER INRA, UMR, France ( email )

Via Bassini, 15
20133 Milano
Italy

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