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National Research University Higher School of Economics
Syllabus of the course An Introduction to Advanced Macroeconomics
Program 080100.68 ‘Economics’, Master’s programs in ‘Economics: Research Program’,
‘Applied Economics’ and ‘Statistical Analysis of Economic and Social Processes’
I. Course design
I.1 Course description
This introductory course to Advanced Macroeconomics along with Econometrics and
Advanced Microeconomics forms the core trinity of compulsory disciplines that provide a
theoretical background for the master’s program in economics at the HSE Faculty of
Economics. The one-semester course is taught in English in the 1st and 2nd modules to the
first-year graduate students.
The course focuses on selected topics which are central to modern macroeconomics, like the
short-run economic fluctuations, stabilization policies in the medium-run, long-run economic
growth, as well as political economy issues of macroeconomic policies. Both basic and more
advanced theoretical models and analytical techniques are widely used in the course but are
treated as tools for granting insights into important issues, not as ends in themselves. Yet, this
requires from students certain facility with linear algebra and some basic game theory. The
course also assumes students’ familiarity with introductory macroeconomics topics but this is
not compulsory.
I.2 Scope of application and reference to regulatory documents
This document establishes the minimum requirements for knowledge, skills and competences
of the student, determines the coverage and content of the course, indicates teaching methods
and forms of learning activities as well as assessment criteria and grade determination.
The course syllabus is designed for the instructors, teaching assistants and students of the
Education Program 080100.68 ‘Economics’ following Master’s programs in ‘Economics:
research program’, ‘Applied Economics’ and ‘Statistical Analysis of Economic and Social
Processes’.
This syllabus has been developed in accordance with:
National curriculum standard FGROS-3
Education Program 080100.68
University Academic Plan of the Education Program 080200.68 (approved in 2011).
Page 2 of 23
National Research University Higher School of Economics
Syllabus of the course An Introduction to Advanced Macroeconomics
Program 080100.68 ‘Economics’, Master’s programs in ‘Economics: Research Program’,
‘Applied Economics’ and ‘Statistical Analysis of Economic and Social Processes’
Page 3 of 23
National Research University Higher School of Economics
Syllabus of the course An Introduction to Advanced Macroeconomics
Program 080100.68 ‘Economics’, Master’s programs in ‘Economics: Research Program’,
‘Applied Economics’ and ‘Statistical Analysis of Economic and Social Processes’
Page 4 of 23
National Research University Higher School of Economics
Syllabus of the course An Introduction to Advanced Macroeconomics
Program 080100.68 ‘Economics’, Master’s programs in ‘Economics: Research Program’,
‘Applied Economics’ and ‘Statistical Analysis of Economic and Social Processes’
Blanchard, O. and D.R. Johnson. Macroeconomics. (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice
Hall, 2012) Sixth edition [ISBN 9780273766339]
which is an essential reading. However, most of the data and case studies in Blanchard’s
Macroeconomics come from the US. Still this book provides a good example of internationally
recognised standard one-year Intermediate Macroeconomics course and serves as a natural
benchmark for the syllabus.
Those student who find it difficult to start the study of macroeconomics with Blanchard’s
textbook may find useful more elementary text by
Begg, D., G.Vernasca, S. Fischer and R. Dornbusch Economics. (New York:McGraw
Hill, 2008) Tenth edition [ISBN 9780077129521]
Given the one-semester length of the course it’s next to impossible to cover all the chapters from
the textbook, so the course is bound to be selective. Yet the structure of the course to a large
extent constitutes the core of modern macroeconomics. An introduction precedes the theory of
short run fluctuations which is essentially based on the IS-LM-BP model. Topics 4 and 8 go
slightly beyond the main textbook chapters by introducing to students some theoretical tools for
the analysis of redistribution policies in a heterogeneous society as well as macroeconomic
aspects of trade restrictions, economics sanctions, devaluation wars, etc.
Topics 9 through 14 focus on the medium run covering labour market issues and introducing
AD-AS framework for the analysis of inflation, unemployment and their trade-off. The role of
expectations in the consumption and investment decisions as well as for the consistent
macroeconomic policy is explored as a major extension of the IS-LM-AS model.
The long run issues of economic development are covered in the final part of the course which
introduced the neoclassical growth theory of capital accumulation. The role of exogenous and
endogenous technological progress in explaining the evolution of output per worker across
countries and over long periods of time completes the course.
The course is deemed to be ‘constructively aligned’. In particular, it has outcome based student
oriented design and educational technology with criterion-reference assessment. Yet, it allows
for sufficient flexibility in the curriculum to create such a learning environment that helps
student make an above mentioned ‘accommodative jump’.
The length of the course, distribution of workload between lectures (64 hours) and seminars (32
hours), structure of the exam (to be based primarily on problems) shapes the content of the
course.
5
National Research University Higher School of Economics
Syllabus of the course An Introduction to Advanced Macroeconomics
Program 080100.68 ‘Economics’, Master’s programs in ‘Economics: Research Program’,
‘Applied Economics’ and ‘Statistical Analysis of Economic and Social Processes’
Macroeconomics and its central issues: inflation, unemployment, economic growth, stabilisation
policy. The problem of aggregation. Money value of goods as a common denominator.
Aggregate output, gross domestic product, or GDP, final good, intermediate good, value added.
Double counting. Nominal GDP, real GDP, GDP growth, expansions, recessions. Labour force,
employment, unemployment and unemployment rate, discouraged workers, participation rate.
Underground economy. Price level, inflation, inflation rate, deflation, GDP deflator, index
number, consumer price index (CPI), cost of living.
Real vs. nominal variables. Some important national accounting identities.
Essential Reading
6
National Research University Higher School of Economics
Syllabus of the course An Introduction to Advanced Macroeconomics
Program 080100.68 ‘Economics’, Master’s programs in ‘Economics: Research Program’,
‘Applied Economics’ and ‘Statistical Analysis of Economic and Social Processes’
III.2 National accounts, total output and national income. Aggregate demand components
Gross national product and national income. Determinants of consumption (consumption
function) and marginal propensity to consume. Consumption function with income dependent
MPC. Personal disposable income.
Savings and investment. Savings and marginal propensity to save. Relationship between
consumption and savings in a closed economy. Changes in MPC and the effect on savings.
Investment. Savings and transmission mechanism. Interest rate and the present value concept.
Marginal propensity to invest. Bonds of the console type (perpetuities). Internal rate of return.
The government sector. Public consumption and the marginal propensity to spend of the
government. Government revenues and forms of taxation: lump-sum and proportional (marginal)
taxes, progressive and regressive taxes, income and expenditure taxes, corporate tax. Budget
surplus and government savings. Tax incentives to save.
The foreign sector. National accounts for the open economy. Demand for export and import,
marginal propensity to import. Net exports function with a fixed exchange rate.
Essential Reading
Blanchard, O. and D.R. Johnson. Macroeconomics. Ch.2
Further Reading
Begg, D., G.Vernasca, S. Fischer and R. Dornbusch Economics. Ch.16
III.3 Goods market equilibrium. Keynesian Cross diagram and the multiplier. Fiscal
policy rules and balanced budget multipliers
The complete goods market and Keynesian Cross in the closed economy. Characterisation of the
equilibrium and the mechanism of adjustment. Autonomous aggregate expenditures, the
economy wide marginal propensity to spend and the multiplier. Goods market equilibrium and
the multiplier in the open economy.
Government spending and crowding out. The effects of government spending and taxation on
output. Government spending multiplier and tax multiplier. Balanced budget multiplier for the
different mechanisms of adjustment. Fiscal rules and countercyclical government spending.
Essential Reading
Blanchard, O. and D.R. Johnson. Macroeconomics. Ch.3
Further Reading
Mankiw, N. Gregory. "Imperfect competition and the Keynesian cross." Economics
Letters 26.1 (1988): 7-13.
7
National Research University Higher School of Economics
Syllabus of the course An Introduction to Advanced Macroeconomics
Program 080100.68 ‘Economics’, Master’s programs in ‘Economics: Research Program’,
‘Applied Economics’ and ‘Statistical Analysis of Economic and Social Processes’
III.4 IS curve. Fiscal and redistribution policies in an economy with heterogeneous agents
The IS representation of the goods’ market equilibrium in the closed economy. Derivation of the
IS curve. Shifts in the IS schedule. The interest rate elasticity of investment expenditure
function: extreme Keynesian and Classical views. The effects of change in the MPC.
Transfer payments, taxation and redistribution vs. fiscal policies. Income dependent MPC and
income distribution. Heterogeneous agents and the total consumption function. Inequality,
poverty, and transfer effect. Redistribution policy and poverty-driven inequality. Redistribution
and poverty alleviation. Income redistribution, changes in population composition and the
consumption function. Means and ends of the redistribution policy. Voluntary redistribution of
income via donations.
Corporate profits, corporate taxation and the firms’ investment function. Retained and distributed
profits, investment decision and dividend policy. The problem of double taxation.
Out-sourcing (out-tendering) and privatisation. Labour and capital income vs. profits.
Essential Reading
Blanchard, O. and D.R. Johnson. Macroeconomics. Ch.3
Further Reading
Hoshi T., A.K.Kashyap, Japan’s Financial Crisis and Economic Stagnation, Journal of
Economic Perspectives, 18 (1), 2004, pp. 3-26.
III.5 Financial market equilibrium in the closed economy. Money supply and money
demand. LM schedule. Banking system and the role of CB
Money and Banking. Functions of Money: a Numeraire, Means of Exchange and Store of Value.
Demand for Liquid Assets. Liquidity Preference Approach.
Central Bank, Commercial Banks and Supply of Liquid Assets. Money Base, Public Cash,
Reserves, Deposits. Money Creation process. Money multiplier, deposit multiplier and loans
multiplier. Upward sloping money supply.
Liquid Assets Market Equilibrium. Derivation of the LM curve. Slope of the LM schedule.
Excess demand and Excess supply. Monetary Policy and Shifting in the LM schedule. Liquidity
trap and zero lower bound.
Essential Reading
Blanchard, O. and D.R. Johnson. Macroeconomics. Ch.4
Further Reading
Begg, D., G.Vernasca, S. Fischer and R. Dornbusch Economics. Ch.18-19
III.6 General equilibrium and macroeconomic policies in the closed economy. Fiscal and
monetary policies in the IS-LM model
8
National Research University Higher School of Economics
Syllabus of the course An Introduction to Advanced Macroeconomics
Program 080100.68 ‘Economics’, Master’s programs in ‘Economics: Research Program’,
‘Applied Economics’ and ‘Statistical Analysis of Economic and Social Processes’
Essential Reading
Blanchard, O. and D.R. Johnson. Macroeconomics. Ch.5
Further Reading
Begg, D., G.Vernasca, S. Fischer and R. Dornbusch Economics. Ch.20
Hoshi, Takeo and A. K. Kashyap ‘Japan’s financial crisis and economic Stagnation’,
Journal of Economic Perspectives 18(1) 2004, pp.3–26.
Hutchison, Michael ‘Japan’s recession: Is the liquidity trap back?’ Federal Reserve Bank
of San Francisco. FRBSF Economic Letter/Pacific Basin Notes. 2000–19, 16 June 2000
(available at www.frbsf.org/econrsrch/wklyltr/2000/el2000-19.html).
III.7 Open economy macroeconomics: BOP, exchange rate determination, CIP, UIP,
LOOP. IS-LM-BP model
Balance of payments: current account, capital account and foreign reserves. Real and nominal
exchange rate. Exchange rate determination and the money sector. Foreign exchange market,
foreign currency reserves. Appreciation and depreciation of the exchange rate. Exchange rate
regimes: fixed and flexible.
Determinants of the trade balance and the Marshall–Lerner condition, the national income
identity in an open economy
Uncovered and covered interest parity condition in the financial market, the law of one price.
General equilibrium in an open economy and macroeconomic policies. Capital mobility vs.
capital controls. Mundell-Fleming model. Determinants of the BP line, the BP slope under
alternative assumptions about international capital mobility.
Monetary and fiscal policies under fixed and flexible exchange rates with perfect, imperfect
capital movements and no capital mobility.
Essential Reading
Blanchard, O. and D.R. Johnson. Macroeconomics. Ch. 18, 19 and 20.1–20.2., 21.
Further Reading
Dornbusch, R., S. Fischer and R. Startz Macroeconomics. (New York: McGraw-Hill,
2011) Chapters 12.1–12.3, 18.3 and 20.2, 21
9
National Research University Higher School of Economics
Syllabus of the course An Introduction to Advanced Macroeconomics
Program 080100.68 ‘Economics’, Master’s programs in ‘Economics: Research Program’,
‘Applied Economics’ and ‘Statistical Analysis of Economic and Social Processes’
Calvo, Guillermo A., and F.S. Mishkin. ‘The mirage of exchange rate regimes for
emerging market countries’, Journal of Economic Perspectives 17(4) 2003, pp.99–118.
Essential Reading
Blanchard, O. and D.R. Johnson. Macroeconomics. Ch.21
Further Reading
Kaempfer, William H., and Anton D. Lowenberg. "The theory of international economic
sanctions: A public choice approach." The American Economic Review (1988): 786-793.
Pape, Robert A. "Why economic sanctions do not work." International Security 22.2
(1997): 90-136.
Davis, Steven J., R.J. Faberman and J. Haltiwanger ‘The flow approach to labor markets:
new data sources and micro-macro links’, Journal of Economic Perspectives 20(3) 2006,
pp.3–26.
Zarnowitz, Victor ‘Theory and history behind business cycles: Are the 1990s the onset of
a golden age?’ Journal of Economic Perspectives 13(2) 1999, pp.69–90.
11
National Research University Higher School of Economics
Syllabus of the course An Introduction to Advanced Macroeconomics
Program 080100.68 ‘Economics’, Master’s programs in ‘Economics: Research Program’,
‘Applied Economics’ and ‘Statistical Analysis of Economic and Social Processes’
Svensson L.E., Escaping from a liquidity trap and deflation: The foolproof way and
others, Journal of Economic Perspectives, 17 (4), pp.145-166, 2003.
Tobin J., Inflation and unemployment, American Economic Review, 62 (1), pp.1-18,
1972.
Baumol W., The transaction demand for cash: an inventory theoretic approach, Quarterly
Journal of Economics, 66, pp.545-556, 1952.
Friedman M. (1968) “The Role of Monetary Policy”. American Economic Review, 58, pp.
1-17.
Tobin J., Liquidity preference as a behaviour towards risk, Review of Economic Studies,
25, pp.65-86, 1958.
Modigliani, Franco ‘Life cycle, individual thrift, and the wealth of nations’, American
Economic Review 76(3)1986, pp.297–313.
Hall, Robert, E. and Dale W. Jorgenson ‘Tax policy and investment behaviour’,
American Economic Review 57(3)1967, pp.391–414.
Keynes, John, M. 1936 ‘The state of long term expectations’, Chapter 12 of The general
theory of employment, interest and money. Also in Estrin, S. and A. Marin, Chapter 15.
Baumol W., The transaction demand for cash: an inventory theoretic approach, Quarterly
Journal of Economics, 66, pp.545-556, 1952.
12
National Research University Higher School of Economics
Syllabus of the course An Introduction to Advanced Macroeconomics
Program 080100.68 ‘Economics’, Master’s programs in ‘Economics: Research Program’,
‘Applied Economics’ and ‘Statistical Analysis of Economic and Social Processes’
Friedman M. (1968) “The Role of Monetary Policy”. American Economic Review, 58,
pp. 1-17.
Tobin J., Liquidity preference as a behaviour towards risk, Review of Economic Studies,
25, pp.65-86, 1958
Bernanke B.S., F.S.Mishkin, Inflation targeting: a new framework for monetary policy?
policy, Journal of Economic Perspectives, 11(2), pp.97-116, 1997.
Chari V., J.K.Patrick, Modern macroeconomics in practice: how theory is shaping policy,
Journal of Economic Perspectives, 20(4), pp.3-28, 2006.
Fisher S., R.Sahay, C.A.Vegh, Modern hyper- and high inflations, Journal of Economic
Literature, 40(3), pp.837-880, 2002.
Modigliani F., The monetarist controversy, or, should we forsake stabilization policies?
American Economic Review, 67(2), pp. 1-17, 1997.
Sargent T.J., N. Wallace, Rational Expectations and the Theory of Economic Policy,
Journal of Monetary Economics, July 1976, pp.199-214.
Taylor J.B. An historical analysis of monetary policy rules, NBER working paper,
w6768, 1998
13
National Research University Higher School of Economics
Syllabus of the course An Introduction to Advanced Macroeconomics
Program 080100.68 ‘Economics’, Master’s programs in ‘Economics: Research Program’,
‘Applied Economics’ and ‘Statistical Analysis of Economic and Social Processes’
III.14 Economic crisis and global imbalances; financial, banking and currency crises.
Government debt and monetary union
Gold standard, optimal currency area. Euro and Maastricht Treaty, European Central Bank
(ECB), hard peg, dollarization, currency board.
Global financial crisis in 2008. Subprime borrowing and global imbalances. ‘Unconventional’
monetary (quantitative easing) and fiscal policies, savings glut.
Essential Reading
Blanchard, O. and D.R. Johnson. Macroeconomics. Ch.1, 21, 22, 25.5
Further Reading
Berkmen, Pelin, et al. The global financial crisis: Explaining cross-country differences in
the output impact. No. 9-280. International Monetary Fund, 2009.
Borio, Claudio, and Piti Disyatat. Global imbalances and the financial crisis: Link or no
link?. No. 346. Bank for International Settlements, 2011.
Claessens, Stijn, et al. "Cross-country experiences and policy implications from the
global financial crisis." Economic Policy 25.62 (2010): 267-293.
Fratzscher, Marcel. "Capital flows, push versus pull factors and the global financial
crisis."Journal of International Economics 88.2 (2012): 341-356.
III.15 Neoclassical growth model (Solow). Returns to scale and production function.
Factor accumulation and the role of technological progress. Convergence
Kaldor’s (1963) stylized facts and recent findings about economic growth. Growth miracles and
growth disasters. Factor accumulation, stability of the worldwide economic growth and cross-
country income differences.
Basic assumption of the Solow model. Neoclassical production function, constant return to scale
and Inada conditions. Dynamics of the model and the concept of the balanced growth path.
Policy shocks and transition dynamics. Golden rule of capital accumulation and dynamic
efficiency.
Growth accounting. Absolute and conditional convergence. Quantitative measure of the speed of
convergence. Convergence clubs and the identification problems with cross-country regressions:
selection bias and measurement error. Saving and investment in growth regressions.
Convergence and the dispersion of per capita income: β- and σ-convergence.
Essential Reading
Blanchard, O. and D.R. Johnson. Macroeconomics. Ch.10-13
Further Reading
Romer, D. (2012). Advanced Macroeconomics. 4th edition, McGraw-Hill, Ch.1 pp. 6-27.
Barro, R., Sala-i-Martin, X. (2003). Economic Growth. 2nd edition, MIT Press., ch.1,
pp.14-26.
Temple, J. (1999). The New Growth Evidence. Journal of Economic Literature, 37(1),
112-156.
14
National Research University Higher School of Economics
Syllabus of the course An Introduction to Advanced Macroeconomics
Program 080100.68 ‘Economics’, Master’s programs in ‘Economics: Research Program’,
‘Applied Economics’ and ‘Statistical Analysis of Economic and Social Processes’
Baumol, W. J. (1986). Productivity Growth, Convergence, and Welfare: What the Long-
Run Data Show. American Economic Review, 76(5), 1072-1085.
Baumol, W. J., Wolff, E.N. (1988). Productivity Growth, Convergence, and Welfare:
Reply. American Economic Review, 78(5), 1155-1159.
Essential Reading
Blanchard, O. and D.R. Johnson. Macroeconomics. Ch. 11.4, 12 and 13.4.
Bosworth, Barry, and S. M. Collins ‘Accounting for growth: comparing China and India’,
Journal of Economic Perspectives 22(1) 2008, pp.45–66.
Jones, Charles I. Introduction to economic growth. (Norton, 2002) second edition [ISBN
9780393977455]. Chapters 3 and 4.
15
National Research University Higher School of Economics
Syllabus of the course An Introduction to Advanced Macroeconomics
Program 080100.68 ‘Economics’, Master’s programs in ‘Economics: Research Program’,
‘Applied Economics’ and ‘Statistical Analysis of Economic and Social Processes’
Q&A - Questions and Answers (questions based on essential reading and lecture
material) during contact sessions
Non-graded Home Assignments
Mock Group Presentation
IV.2 Summative assessments
Summative assessment criteria and grade determination are announced at the beginning of the
course [% weight in the final grade]
Quizzes based on Home assignments [5%]
Mid-term closed-book written test (2 hours individual in class) [15%]
Group presentation of an assigned topic (15 min, 10 slides) [25%]
Essay (3-4 pages, individual at home) [25%]
Final closed-book exam (4 hours individual in class) [30%]
back/feed-forward learning processes are managed by means of weekly office hours to help
students create their individual meanings and concepts as well as relax their learning constraints.
Important element of teaching strategy should be office-hours. Having introduced
‘conversational framework’ the lecturer commits providing personal feedback on learning for 3-
4 students every week. Students are obliged to ask at least couple of questions (even if they think
they don’t have). Additional to this traditional form of communication an on-line and off-line
Q&A session was introduced via https://piazza.com/hse.ru/fall2014/macro/home interface (to be
further transferred to HSE Learning Management System). This forum allows both for personal
and anonymous questions from students to provide them with an opportunity to choose time and
means of ‘out of campus’ conversation with the teacher.
Facilitated seminars enable adaptive, communicative and interactive medium to give maximum
support to student: problem solving, discussing and presenting; solving typical problems and
commenting on home assignments with special attention to marking criteria and the relative
weights for different sub-questions. Since both individual and social activity play a role in the
construction of knowledge I facilitate discussion sessions for students to articulate their
subjective understanding. Further I explain how flexible lecture plan and variety of learning
resources provides students with non-linear pathways through different on-line materials and
helps them extend their personalized knowledge in macroeconomics through out of class e-
learning and group activities.
V.2 Learning activities
Students adopt their own learning paths taking into account their backgrounds, incentives, career
preferences and time-constrains. In particular, students may 1) concentrate their learning efforts
on different tasks; 2) they may also select between ‘problem-solving’ and ‘open-end’ types of
questions (Section D in mid-term test or final exam); 3) choose individually essay topic and 4)
focus on specific stream of literature for GRP presentation. The course assessment strategy being
flexible is completely aligned with these learning activities. The intension for such a flexible
assessment strategy is to increase students’ engagement in learning by allowing them to select
between assessment tasks (and corresponding learning activities) ‘for bigger accommodative
jump’.
In the course students are pushed to work in groups (preparing for home assignments or GRP.
Such a learning environment is designed to introduce greater flexibility of the syllabus and
personalize students’ knowledge (since they select the list of papers to present by themselves) to
encourage deeper learning further assessed as ILO4 and ILO5. For instance, GRP presentation
aims at creating a consistent picture of the current state of affairs in the given field of research
that is not covered in lectures. Each presentation is assessed by the tutor, while individual marks
(depending on relative contribution of the each member of the group) are graded by peers. In
turn, GRP work offers students the means to select and negotiate their own task goals, generate
questions, reflect on the comparison between theirs and teachers conceptions, analyse
macroeconomic work horse models, relate them to practice (data), and produce personal
judgments of normative policy propositions (ILOs 4 and 5). By articulating personalized
conceptions and perspectives students deliver solutions to research problems through applying
good group working practices and achieve ILO6.
V.3 Learning aids
Implementation of a ‘conversational framework’ for the course requires tailored educational
technologies and corresponding learning aids. The course textbook has a set of problems after
each chapter, but normally students fail when attempting to solve these problems without
guidance. Such a ‘gap in understanding’ is typical for ‘problem based’ courses and requires
17
National Research University Higher School of Economics
Syllabus of the course An Introduction to Advanced Macroeconomics
Program 080100.68 ‘Economics’, Master’s programs in ‘Economics: Research Program’,
‘Applied Economics’ and ‘Statistical Analysis of Economic and Social Processes’
1. Each student is expected to have prepared a brief but well structured macroeconomic profile
of a selected country. Special attention is to be paid at the list of references and data sources.
2. The essay is to be focused on both the medium run and the long run issues of the country’s
economy and must contain the following information:
- GDP structure and its dynamics (the longer the time-series the better)
- Physical capital characteristics (stock of capital, investment vs. savings rate, depreciation)
3. The essay has to conclude on the major determinants of economic situation (possibly different
at different stages of development) and discuss the future perspectives
18
National Research University Higher School of Economics
Syllabus of the course An Introduction to Advanced Macroeconomics
Program 080100.68 ‘Economics’, Master’s programs in ‘Economics: Research Program’,
‘Applied Economics’ and ‘Statistical Analysis of Economic and Social Processes’
4. Having the study at hands students join the in-class round table discussion that aims at
resolving the issue of convergence. In particular, students have to be able to identify the basic
growth facts to persuade each other that their countries belong to a single club of convergence.
5. Students then have to exchange their essays within the identified clubs for peer review. Every
student has to comment the peer's essay in the form of critical support in writing and return it
back within two days. The copy of this referee report of sorts has to be sent to the teacher.
6. Within the next 5 days student has to revise and resubmit the final version of the essay for
marking. The submited portfolio should contain three texts in the MSWord format: draft text,
referee report with tracked records and the final version.
VI. Sample Exam questions and tasks
VI.1 Sample non-graded home assignment designed for improving reading skills and
critical thinking
b) Define the new budgetary rule and find the new multiplier
VI.2 Sample problem set for the mid-term test and final exam
Section A (answer ALL the questions)
19
National Research University Higher School of Economics
Syllabus of the course An Introduction to Advanced Macroeconomics
Program 080100.68 ‘Economics’, Master’s programs in ‘Economics: Research Program’,
‘Applied Economics’ and ‘Statistical Analysis of Economic and Social Processes’
1. Economy A with proportional taxes is closed and the government adjusts its spending to the
level of taxes raised. Economy B is open and has lump-sum tax system. Comparing the
balanced budget multipliers of the two economies one can conclude that:
a. Mult A < Mult B;
b. Mult A = Mult B;
c. Mult A > Mult B;
d. The multipliers can not be compared due to insufficient information.
2. A project yields £1500 every year for 2 years. What is the maximum disbursement you will
agree to invest in the project had the interest rate been 5%:
a. 2929;
b. 2927;
c. 2788;
d. 2790.
5. In a closed economy with fully flexible prices and wages, a balanced budget fiscal
expansion will lead to:
a. A crowding out of investment by exactly the amount of additional government expenditure;
b. No changes in output and savings due to complete crowding out effect;
c. An increase in output and a decline in investment due to partial crowding out effect;
d. None of the above.
7. In an open economy with perfect capital mobility and a fixed but adjustable exchange rate,
devaluation policy will:
a. Have no effect on the economy;
b. Lead to an increase in output and an increase in the supply of liquid assets;
c. Lead to an increase in output and a fall in the supply of liquid assets;
d. Lead to a fall in output and a decrease in the supply of liquid assets.
8. In an open economy with perfect capital mobility and a flexible exchange rate an increase in
international interest rates will lead to:
a. No changes in trade deficit;
b. An increase in net exports;
c. A decrease in net exports;
20
National Research University Higher School of Economics
Syllabus of the course An Introduction to Advanced Macroeconomics
Program 080100.68 ‘Economics’, Master’s programs in ‘Economics: Research Program’,
‘Applied Economics’ and ‘Statistical Analysis of Economic and Social Processes’
9. In an open economy with no capital mobility and flexible exchange rate an increase in
government spending will:
a. Have no real effect;
b. Lead to an increase in output;
c. Lead to a recession;
d. Lead to monetary contraction.
B1. ‘If all prices and wages are fully flexible in the short run then the aggregate supply (AS)
curve is vertical.
B2. ‘An increase in a central bank’s discount rate will reduce the monetary base.’
B3. ‘An increase in the level of money wages implies the aggregate supply (AS) curve shifts to
the right.’
B4. ‘According to uncovered interest parity (UIP), a higher domestic nominal interest rate is
associated with an expected depreciation of the domestic currency.’
B5. ‘A minimum wage law can be a cause of classical unemployment.’
Problem C.1. Consider a closed economy with fixed prices and wages.
Md/P = m0 + kY – hr,
where Md is nominal money demand, P is the price level, Y is real income, and r is the interest
rate. Assume the price level is fixed at P = 1. Suppose that the central bank fixes the money
supply Ms = M.
dr/dY = k/h
21
National Research University Higher School of Economics
Syllabus of the course An Introduction to Advanced Macroeconomics
Program 080100.68 ‘Economics’, Master’s programs in ‘Economics: Research Program’,
‘Applied Economics’ and ‘Statistical Analysis of Economic and Social Processes’
Which values of the parameters k and h represent the case of money demand that is inelastic with
respect to income? Using the equation above, deduce that the LM curve is horizontal in this case.
(7 marks)
(b) Goods market equilibrium is where output is equal to the sum of consumption, investment,
and government spending: Y = C + I + G. The consumption function is C = C0 + c1(Y – T) and
the investment function is: I = I0 – br. Government spending G = G0 and taxes T = T0 are
exogenous.
Consider an economy where the LM curve is horizontal, as in part (a). Suppose that households
increase their desire to save, which can be interpreted as a fall in autonomous consumption C0.
What are the effects on output Y and national saving SN? (Recall that national saving is defined
as SN = (Y – T – C) + (T – G).) Explain your answer intuitively. (7 marks)
(c) Repeat the analysis of part (b) when investment depends positively on output, as implied by
the equation
I = I0 + aY – br
Explain the intuition for the differences you find compared with your answers to part (b). (6
marks)
Problem C.2. Consider the Solow model of economic growth. Assume the production function is Y =
K1/2L1/2,
where Y is output, K is the capital stock, and L is the labour force. The labour force (assumed
equal to the population) grows at a constant rate n. The capital stock depreciates at a constant
rate . There is no exogenous technological progress (g = 0). The saving rate is s.
(a) Let y = Y/L and k = K/L denote output per person and capital per person. Show that the
production function implies: y = f (k) = k1/2
The dynamics of the capital stock per person are described by the equation: k = s f (k) – ( + n)k
(you are not required to derive this equation). Show how the steady-state stock of capital per
person is found using a diagram and explain why the economy will converge to this point in the
long run.
Using the diagram, find the effects of a rise in the saving rate s on steady-state capital and output
per person. Sketch a graph showing the path of capital and output per person over time during
convergence to the new steady state. (7 marks)
(b) Let c = C/L denote consumption per person. Given the saving rate s, consumption per person
is determined by the equation: c = (1 – s) f (k)
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National Research University Higher School of Economics
Syllabus of the course An Introduction to Advanced Macroeconomics
Program 080100.68 ‘Economics’, Master’s programs in ‘Economics: Research Program’,
‘Applied Economics’ and ‘Statistical Analysis of Economic and Social Processes’
The Golden-rule level of the capital stock k* is the level that maximizes steady-state
consumption per person. Using your diagram or using algebra, explain why the Golden-rule
capital stock is the solution of the equation:
f '(k*) = + n
Assume that the capital stock is initially below the Golden-rule level. The saving rate is now
increased to allow the economy to reach the Golden rule. Sketch a graph showing the path of
consumption over time following this change in the saving rate. (7 marks)
(c) Suppose the saving rate is s = 0.2, population growth is n = 0.01, and the depreciation rate is
= 0.09. Calculate whether the economy described by these parameters requires a higher or a
lower saving rate to reach the Golden-rule level of capital. (6 marks)
Section D
The December 14, 2010 issue of the Wall Street Journal ran an article entitled Official Relieves
Pressure on BOJ. The article states:
“The chief spokesman for Japan's government said additional monetary easing,
including setting an inflation target, won't help Japan conquer deflation. He also
suggests Tokyo won't press the Bank of Japan for more steps to prop up the economy
anytime soon.
Yoshito Sengoku said in an interview Japan has experienced continued price
declines despite years of aggressive easing policies from both the monetary and fiscal
sides, a phenomenon that convinces him that deflation is caused by the nation's
proximity to lower-cost economies like China and the nations in South East Asia.
‘Some people seem to believe the BOJ can generate an adequate level of inflation
by just printing money. But I don't think that's the case,’ said Mr. Sengoku, who serves
as chief of staff to Prime Minister Naoto Kan."
a) Suppose one takes Mr. Sengoku’s conjecture that lower-cost economies like China are causing
deflation in Japan as operating through a reduction in P* in our model. In this case, does Mr.
Sengoku’s conjecture match with the long-run predictions of the small open economy flexible
exchange rate model developed in class? (10 marks)
b) Use the relevant model to evaluate Mr. Sengoku’s claim that additional monetary easing
won’t help Japan conquer deflation. In particular, compare the long-run effect on the price of
domestically produced goods of a permanent increase in the money supply in a closed economy
and a small open economy with flexible exchange rates. (10 marks)
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