ArXiv TLDR

Fiscal Aggregation and the Limits of IS--LM--BP: Derivations, Aggregation Bias and Reproducible Adversarial Simulations

🐦 Tweet
2605.03881

Ricardo Alonzo Fernandez Salguero

econ.GN

TLDR

This paper critiques the IS-LM-BP framework, showing scalar fiscal aggregation is insufficient and requires vector-valued instruments for accurate policy analysis.

Key contributions

  • Critiques IS-LM-BP's scalar fiscal aggregation, showing its limitations with heterogeneous instruments.
  • Proves aggregate G is sufficient only if all fiscal instruments have identical marginal output effects.
  • Derives composition-weighted multipliers, identifies aggregation bias, and extends the IS-LM-BP model.
  • Argues fiscal policy analysis requires vector-valued instruments and state-contingent multipliers.

Why it matters

This paper refines the fundamental IS-LM-BP model, highlighting a critical flaw in scalar fiscal aggregation. It proposes a more nuanced, vector-based approach, improving the accuracy of macroeconomic analysis and policy recommendations.

Original Abstract

This paper develops a formal critique of scalar fiscal aggregation in the IS LM BP/Mundell Fleming framework. It shows that when fiscal policy is composed of heterogeneous instruments current purchases, public investment and transfers to different households the aggregate variable G is sufficient for output analysis only under a restrictive gradient condition: all instruments must have identical marginal effects on output. The paper proves this condition, derives composition weighted multipliers, identifies aggregation bias and extends the open economy IS LM BP model to incorporate fiscal composition, public capital, debt dynamics and risk-premium effects. A reproducible computational exercise with symbolic checks, derivative tests, accounting identities, adversarial counterexamples, sensitivity sweeps, Monte Carlo simulations and stress tests confirms the internal consistency of the argument. The contribution is methodological: IS LM BP remains useful as a compact equilibrium framework, but fiscal policy analysis requires vector-valued instruments and state-contingent multipliers rather than a single homogeneous spending variable.

📬 Weekly AI Paper Digest

Get the top 10 AI/ML arXiv papers from the week — summarized, scored, and delivered to your inbox every Monday.