Government Spending and Interest Rates
52 Pages Posted: 22 Jul 2015 Last revised: 15 Nov 2021
Date Written: November 8, 2021
Abstract
Most macroeconomic models imply that increases in government spending cause interest rates to rise, but empirical evidence from the U.S. generally fails to support this prediction. We propose a novel explanation for how government spending can have a muted or negative temporary effect on interest rates: the increased supply of loans associated with government spending is offset by an increase in the demand for loans due to higher aggregate income. We demonstrate this mechanism theoretically and provide evidence consistent with the model's predictions.
Keywords: Interest Rates, Fiscal Policy, Aggregate Demand,
JEL Classification: E21, E41, E42, E43, E44, E62, F34
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation