Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-1-2006
Journal / Book Title
International Advances in Economic Research
Abstract
This paper examines the revenue-smoothing hypothesis, which posits that an optimizing government will adjust both taxes and inflation to meet shocks to government spending. Our contribution is to examine this through the lens of a new methodology that relates both the first and second moments of inflation rates to central bank independence (CBI) measures. Unlike existing least-squares-based CBI papers, this study uses a maximum likelihood framework that facilitates the direct inclusion of CBI parameters in the residual covariance matrix. This new approach allows for a more intensive use of information contained in the CBI indexes and the estimates obtained are better reflective of CBI influences. Our results provide stronger evidence confirming the revenue-smoothing hypothesis, in particular for those countries with more independent central banks.
DOI
10.1007/s11294-006-9000-z
MSU Digital Commons Citation
Sintim-Aboagye, Hermann and Tufte, David R., "Central Bank Independence, Inflation Variability, and the Revenue Smoothing Hypothesis" (2006). Department of Accounting and Finance Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works. 36.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/acctg-finance-facpubs/36
Published Citation
Sintim-Aboagye, H., & Tufte, D. R. (2006). Central bank independence, inflation variability, and the revenue smoothing hypothesis. International Advances in Economic Research, 12(2), 147-160.