Gresham's Law of Model Averaging
American Economic Review
vol. 107,
no. 11, November 2017
(pp. 3589-3616)
Abstract
A decision maker doubts the stationarity of his environment. In response, he uses two models, one with time-varying parameters, and another with constant parameters. Forecasts are then based on a Bayesian model averaging strategy, which mixes forecasts from the two models. In reality, structural parameters are constant, but the (unknown) true model features expectational feedback, which the reduced-form models neglect. This feedback permits fears of parameter instability to become self-confirming. Within the context of a standard asset-pricing model, we use the tools of large deviations theory to show that even though the constant parameter model would converge to the rational expectations equilibrium if considered in isolation, the mere presence of an unstable alternative drives it out of consideration.Citation
Cho, In-Koo, and Kenneth Kasa. 2017. "Gresham's Law of Model Averaging." American Economic Review, 107 (11): 3589-3616. DOI: 10.1257/aer.20160665Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- C63 Computational Techniques; Simulation Modeling
- D83 Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
- D84 Expectations; Speculations