Explaining the variability of debt neutrality tests results : a meta-analysis of Ricardian equivalence

Part of : SEEJE ; Vol.5, No.1, 2007, pages 7-24

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Pages:
7-24
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Abstract:
Many empirical studies trying to verify (or reject) the Ricardian equivalence theorem have been published since 1974, when Barro re-launched the debate about the consequences of debt-financed tax cuts. The results of those studies are mixed, both favoring and rejecting the equivalence. With such mixed results in hand, no one can definitely say if Ricardian equivalence holds or not. Stanley (1998) provides a meta-analysis of 27 studies testing the Ricardian equivalence hypothesis. He finds strong evidence of the hypothesis’ falsity. In this paper, I provide similar meta-analysis to that of Stanley, but I add the newest empirical studies to the sample and change the meta-independent variables structure. The results are very similar to those achieved by Stanley.
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Keywords:
Ricardian equivalence, debt neutrality, meta-analysis, effect size
Notes:
Περιέχει σημειώσεις, πίνακες, παράρτημα και βιβλιογραφία, I’m grateful to Martin Macháček and the participants of the conference “Theoretical and practical aspects of public finance” (Prague, 2005) for their helpful comments on an earlier draft of this paper. The usual disclaimer applies., JEL Classification: C10, H61