Sovereign Risk and Belief-Driven Fluctuations in the Euro Area

Author/Editor:

Giancarlo Corsetti ; Keith Kuester ; Andre Meier ; Gernot J. Mueller

Publication Date:

November 6, 2013

Electronic Access:

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Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary:

Sovereign risk premia in several euro area countries have risen markedly since 2008, driving up credit spreads in the private sector as well. We propose a New Keynesian model of a two-region monetary union that accounts for this “sovereign risk channel.” The model is calibrated to the euro area as of mid-2012. We show that a combination of sovereign risk in one region and strongly procyclical fiscal policy at the aggregate level exacerbates the risk of belief-driven deflationary downturns. The model provides an argument in favor of coordinated, asymmetric fiscal stances as a way to prevent selffulfilling debt crises.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2013/227

Subject:

English

Publication Date:

November 6, 2013

ISBN/ISSN:

9781475513448/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA2013227

Pages:

49

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