Government spending, GDP and exchange rate in Zero Lower Bound: measuring causality at multiple horizons

This paper assesses the causality between government spending and gross domestic product in the United States at multiple horizons. We compare the Granger causality for normal periods (1959Q1 to 2006 Q4) with the causality for the ZLB period (2007Q1 to 2015Q4). We show that the Granger causality measures between government spending and GDP are very high and persistent in the ZLB period, but only if the exchange rate is not taken into account. When the exchange rate is taken into account, the Granger causality between government spending and GDP becomes very small and non-persistent

Revisiting the AA-DD model in Zero Lower Bound

This paper proposes a simple model of a mechanism through which exchange rate can affect the link between output and government spending in zero lower bound (ZLB) periods. In our proposed model, the expected near-future interest rate is added as an endogenous variable. Unlike existing AA-DD models in ZLB, the nominal exchange rate is no longer constant. Our model predicts that the output effect of an increase in government spending in a ZLB period is deflected by an appreciation of the current exchange rate. The AA-DD model is taught in almost all economic departments. The model is also generally used by many central banks and governments. The existing AA-DD model can be misleading. Our new AA-DD model may help to update the existing model in ZLB periods. Our AA-DD model is also consistent with recent dynamic stochastic general equilibrium models in open economies in ZLB periods

Government spending, GDP and exchange rate in Zero Lower Bound: measuring causality at multiple horizons

This paper assesses the causality between government spending and gross domestic product in the United States at multiple horizons. We compare the Granger causality for normal periods (1959Q1 to 2006 Q4) with the causality for the ZLB period (2007Q1 to 2015Q4). We show that the Granger causality measures between government spending and GDP are very high and persistent in the ZLB period, but only if the exchange rate is not taken into account. When the exchange rate is taken into account, the Granger causality between government spending and GDP becomes very small and non-persistent

Revisiting the AA-DD model in Zero Lower Bound

This paper proposes a simple model of a mechanism through which exchange rate can affect the link between output and government spending in zero lower bound (ZLB) periods. In our proposed model, the expected near-future interest rate is added as an endogenous variable. Unlike existing AA-DD models in ZLB, the nominal exchange rate is no longer constant. Our model predicts that the output effect of an increase in government spending in a ZLB period is deflected by an appreciation of the current exchange rate. The AA-DD model is taught in almost all economic departments. The model is also generally used by many central banks and governments. The existing AA-DD model can be misleading. Our new AA-DD model may help to update the existing model in ZLB periods. Our AA-DD model is also consistent with recent dynamic stochastic general equilibrium models in open economies in ZLB periods

Keynesian Models, Detrending, and the Method of Moments

One important question in the Keynesian literature is whether we should detrend data when estimating the parameters of a Keynesian model using the moment method. It has been common in the literature to detrend data in the same way the model is detrended. Doing so works relatively well with linear models, in part because in such a case the information that disappears from the data after the detrending process is usually related to the parameters that also disappear from the detrended model. Unfortunately, in heavy non-linear Keynesian models, parameters rarely disappear from detrended models, but information does disappear from the detrended data. Using a simple real business cycle model, we show that both the moment method estimators of parameters and the estimated responses of endogenous variables to a technological shock can be seriously inaccurate when the data used in the estimation process are detrended. Using a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model and U.S. data, we show that detrending the data before estimating the parameters may result in a seriously misleading response of endogeneous variables to monetary shocks. We suggest building the moment conditions using raw data, irrespective of the trend observed in the data

Keynesian Models, Detrending, and the Method of Moments

One important question in the Keynesian literature is whether we should detrend data when estimating the parameters of a Keynesian model using the moment method. It has been common in the literature to detrend data in the same way the model is detrended. Doing so works relatively well with linear models, in part because in such a case the information that disappears from the data after the detrending process is usually related to the parameters that also disappear from the detrended model. Unfortunately, in heavy non-linear Keynesian models, parameters rarely disappear from detrended models, but information does disappear from the detrended data. Using a simple real business cycle model, we show that both the moment method estimators of parameters and the estimated responses of endogenous variables to a technological shock can be seriously inaccurate when the data used in the estimation process are detrended. Using a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model and U.S. data, we show that detrending the data before estimating the parameters may result in a seriously misleading response of endogeneous variables to monetary shocks. We suggest building the moment conditions using raw data, irrespective of the trend observed in the data

The Effect of Paid Parental Leave on Breastfeeding, Parental Health and Behavior

Little is known about the effects of paid parental leave (in particular fathers' quotas) on parental health and involvement. In this paper, we exploit a reform that took place in the Canadian province of Quebec to address that important topic. In 2006, Quebec opted out of the federal plan and established its own parental insurance plan, named the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP). This program has lowered the eligibility criteria, increased income replacement and introduced fathers' quotas. Using three data sets, we investigate the impact of the QPIP on breastfeeding and parental health and behavior. Our results show that the reform increased breastfeeding duration and parental involvement. Results also suggest that the policy had limited positive effects on parental health

The Impact of Universal Child Benefits on Family Health and Behaviours

In 2006, the Universal Child Care Benefit was introduced in Canada for all children aged less than 6 years. This program aims to help cover the cost of children and to provide financial assistance to families with young children in their choice of childcare. We exploit this policy change to estimate the effects of unconditional family cash transfers on the health and behaviours of two-parent families and their children. Using a difference-in-differences model, we find no evidence that the program improved child and parental outcomes in aggregate. A modest but fragile beneficial effect is found for low-education families and for girls

The Effect of Paid Parental Leave on Breastfeeding, Parental Health and Behavior

Little is known about the effects of paid parental leave (in particular fathers' quotas) on parental health and involvement. In this paper, we exploit a reform that took place in the Canadian province of Quebec to address that important topic. In 2006, Quebec opted out of the federal plan and established its own parental insurance plan, named the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP). This program has lowered the eligibility criteria, increased income replacement and introduced fathers' quotas. Using three data sets, we investigate the impact of the QPIP on breastfeeding and parental health and behavior. Our results show that the reform increased breastfeeding duration and parental involvement. Results also suggest that the policy had limited positive effects on parental health

The Impact of Universal Child Benefits on Family Health and Behaviours

In 2006, the Universal Child Care Benefit was introduced in Canada for all children aged less than 6 years. This program aims to help cover the cost of children and to provide financial assistance to families with young children in their choice of childcare. We exploit this policy change to estimate the effects of unconditional family cash transfers on the health and behaviours of two-parent families and their children. Using a difference-in-differences model, we find no evidence that the program improved child and parental outcomes in aggregate. A modest but fragile beneficial effect is found for low-education families and for girls