Seminario "Redistributive Fiscal Policy and Marginal Propensities to Consume"

Miércoles 15/5, 17.15h

Presentado por Mariano Spector
Paper Abstract

This paper studies the output effect of transfers in a New Keynesian model with heterogeneous dynasties of overlapping generations, which allows for arbitrary heterogeneity in marginal propensities to consume (MPCs). The role of MPCs is mainly to determine the timing of the fiscal stimulus. Thus, it is not MPCs per se that determine the cumulative effect on output, but rather the interaction between the timing of the stimulus and other features of the model, such as financial frictions and an endogenous monetary policy response. Financially-constrained households always prefer a frontloaded stimulus, while the endogenous monetary policy can generate an ambiguous relation between MPCs and output. From a normative perspective, however, there is no ambiguity: with larger differences in MPCs, macro stabilization can be obtained at a smaller welfare cost.


Mariano Spector is an Economist in the Monetary and Capital Markets Department at the IMF. Previously, he was in the IMF’s European Department, where he worked on Russia, Slovakia, and cross-country studies. His research focuses on macro, monetary and financial economics. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Lugar: Aula Magna
Contacto: Departamento de Economia