Theoretical Notes on Bubbles and the Current Crisis

Alberto Martin, Jaume Ventura

NBER Working Paper No. 16399
Issued in September 2010
NBER Program(s):   EFG

We explore a view of the crisis as a shock to investor sentiment that led to the collapse of a bubble or pyramid scheme in financial markets. We embed this view in a standard model of the financial accelerator and explore its empirical and policy implications. In particular, we show how the model can account for: (i) a gradual and protracted expansionary phase followed by a sudden and sharp recession; (ii) the connection (or lack of connection!) between financial and real economic activity and; (iii) a fast and strong transmission of shocks across sectors and countries. We also use the model to explore the role of fiscal policy

Published: Alberto Martin & Jaume Ventura, 2011. "Theoretical Notes on Bubbles and the Current Crisis," IMF Economic Review, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 59(1), pages 6-40, April.

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Acknowledgments

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