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Identification and Inference under Narrative Restrictions

Author

Listed:
  • Raffaella Giacomini

    (University College London)

  • Toru Kitagawa

    (Brown University)

  • Matthew Read

    (Reserve Bank of Australia)

Abstract
We consider structural vector autoregressions subject to narrative restrictions, which are inequalities involving structural shocks in specific time periods (e.g. shock signs in given quarters). Narrative restrictions are used widely in the empirical literature. However, under these restrictions, there are no formal results on identification or the properties of frequentist approaches to inference, and existing Bayesian methods can be sensitive to prior choice. We provide formal results on identification, propose a computationally tractable robust Bayesian method that eliminates prior sensitivity, and show that it is asymptotically valid from a frequentist perspective. Using our method, we find that inferences about the output effects of US monetary policy obtained under restrictions related to the Volker episode are sensitive to prior choice. Under a richer set of restrictions, there is robust evidence that output falls following a positive monetary policy shock.

Suggested Citation

  • Raffaella Giacomini & Toru Kitagawa & Matthew Read, 2023. "Identification and Inference under Narrative Restrictions," RBA Research Discussion Papers rdp2023-07, Reserve Bank of Australia.
    • Handle: RePEc:rba:rbardp:rdp2023-07
    DOI: 10.47688/rdp2023-07
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    Cited by:

    1. Marco Stenborg Petterson & David Seim & Jesse M. Shapiro, 2023. "Bounds on a Slope from Size Restrictions on Economic Shocks," American Economic Journal: Microeconomics, American Economic Association, vol. 15(3), pages 552-572, August.
    2. Emanuele Bacchiocchi & Toru Kitagawa, 2021. "A note on global identi?cation in structural vector autoregressions," CeMMAP working papers CWP03/21, Centre for Microdata Methods and Practice, Institute for Fiscal Studies.
    3. Annika Camehl & Malte Rieth, 2023. "Disentangling COVID-19, Economic Mobility, and Containment Policy Shocks," American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics, American Economic Association, vol. 15(4), pages 217-248, October.
    4. Matthew Read, 2022. "Algorithms for inference in SVARs identified with sign and zero restrictions [Identification and inference with ranking restrictions]," The Econometrics Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 25(3), pages 699-718.
    5. Andreasen, Martin M. & Caggiano, Giovanni & Castelnuovo, Efrem & Pellegrino, Giovanni, 2024. "Does risk matter more in recessions than in expansions? Implications for monetary policy," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    6. Drautzburg, Thorsten & Wright, Jonathan H., 2023. "Refining set-identification in VARs through independence," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 235(2), pages 1827-1847.
    7. Andrea Carriero & Alessio Volpicella, 2022. "Generalizing the Max Share Identification to multiple shocks identification: an Application to Uncertainty," School of Economics Discussion Papers 0322, School of Economics, University of Surrey.
    8. Camehl, Annika & Rieth, Malte, 2023. "Disentangling COVID-19, Economic Mobility, and Containment Policy Shocks," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 15(4), pages 217-248.
    9. Herwartz, Helmut & Wang, Shu, 2023. "Point estimation in sign-restricted SVARs based on independence criteria with an application to rational bubbles," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    frequentist coverage; global identification; identified set; robustness;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C32 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Time-Series Models; Dynamic Quantile Regressions; Dynamic Treatment Effect Models; Diffusion Processes; State Space Models
    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy

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