Finite-Order VAR Representation of Linear Rational Expectations Models: With Some Lessons for Monetary Policy
49 Pages Posted: 28 Oct 2016 Last revised: 29 Apr 2020
There are 2 versions of this paper
System Reduction and Finite-Order VAR Solution Methods for Linear Rational Expectations Models
Date Written: September, 2016
Abstract
This paper considers the characterization via finite-order VARs of the solution of a large class of linear rational expectations (LRE) models. I propose a unified approach that uses a companion Sylvester equation to check the existence and uniqueness of a solution to the canonical (first-order) LRE model in finite-order VAR form and a quadratic matrix equation to characterize it decoupling the backward- and forward-looking aspects of the model. I also investigate the fundamentalness of the shocks recovered. Solving LRE models by this procedure is straightforward to implement, general in its applicability, efficient in the use of computational resources, and can be handled easily with standard matrix algebra. An application to the workhorse New Keynesian model with accompanying Matlab codes is provided to illustrate the practical implementation of the methodology. I argue that existing empirical evidence on the transmission mechanism of monetary policy shocks from structural VARs (when the specification is inconsistent with theory due to the identification restrictions, lag specification, etc.) should be taken with a grain of salt as it may not have a proper structural interpretation.
JEL Classification: C32, C62, C63, E37
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation