Objective
The MacroReflEx project studies fiscal policy design in the aftermath of an economic and a sovereign debt crises, like the ones that the Euro area has experienced following the 2007-8 financial crisis. The key research question is whether or under which conditions fiscal consolidation or fiscal stimulus is more desirable in such an economic downturn. Expectations of the economic actors play a central role, both in worsening economic downturns and in determining the success or failures of policies. For this reason, the project uses an original combination of laboratory experiments and heterogenous agent models that both put a strong emphasis on the understanding and the modeling of expectations dynamics.
Controlled laboratory environments recreate an environment in which expectations play a key role in shaping the aggregate dynamics, just like in real economies, but without assuming a specific expectation mechanism that may influence the conclusions of the exercise, as forecasts are directly elicited from the subjects. The experiments will shed light on three issues: Under what conditions can one observe bubble-like behavior that may amplify negative shocks? Are policy announcements able to revert those expectations and dampen those amplification mechanisms? If spreads are partly driven by non-fundamental factors, does it call for more fiscal consolidation or more stimulus?
The project then elaborates on the forecasts data collected in the experiments, and develops an heterogenous agent model with two objectives. First, the resulting model will provide a behavioral explanation of the observed patterns in the experiments. Second, it will allow us to perform a systematic policy analysis, both regarding ex ante, preventive policies, and ex post, counter-cyclical interventions. A particular challenge is to design a fiscal rule that summarizes in a systematic way the action of fiscal authorities, and can decrease the likelihood and the impact of such fiscal crises.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2015
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
20123 MILANO
Italy
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.