Fiscal Policy with Limited-Time Commitment

A-Tier
Journal: Economic Journal
Year: 2020
Volume: 130
Issue: 627
Pages: 623-652

Authors (2)

Alex Clymo (not in RePEc) Andrea Lanteri (Duke University)

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We propose a theory of optimal fiscal policy with 'Limited-Time Commitment'. In our framework, successive governments have commitment only over finite, overlapping horizons. We first show that key results in the 'Full Commitment' literature can often be sustained with a single period of commitment. We then solve a calibrated model in which 'Limited-Time Commitment' fails to implement the 'Full Commitment' policy, and find that one year (three years) of commitment recovers one-third (two-thirds) of the welfare losses relative to 'No Commitment'. Finally, we investigate the trade-off between commitment and flexibility in response to shocks.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:oup:econjl:v:130:y:2020:i:627:p:623-652.
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-25