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Fluctuations in uncertainty

Bloom, Nicholas (2013) Fluctuations in uncertainty. CEP Occasional Papers (CEPOP038). The London School of Economics and Political Science, Center of Economic Performance, London, UK.

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Abstract

This review article tries to answer four questions: (i) what are the stylized facts about uncertainty over time; (ii) why does uncertainty vary; (iii) do fluctuations in uncertainty matter; and (iv) did higher uncertainty worsen the Great Recession of 2007-2009? On the first question both macro and micro uncertainty appears to rise sharply in recessions. On the second question the types of exogenous shocks like wars, financial panics and oil price jumps that cause recessions appear to directly increase uncertainty, and uncertainty also appears to endogenously rise further during recessions. On the third question, the evidence suggests uncertainty is damaging for short-run investment and hiring, but there is some evidence it may stimulate longer-run innovation. Finally, in terms of the Great Recession, the large jump in uncertainty in 2008 potentially accounted for about one third of the drop in GDP.

Item Type: Monograph (Report)
Official URL: http://cep.lse.ac.uk/pubs/
Additional Information: © 2013 The Author
Divisions: Centre for Economic Performance
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HC Economic History and Conditions
H Social Sciences > HG Finance
JEL classification: Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics > Q5 - Environmental Economics > Q54 - Climate; Natural Disasters
Date Deposited: 17 Jul 2014 13:26
Last Modified: 15 Sep 2023 22:22
Funders: Economic and Social Research Council, National Science Foundation
URI: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/57976

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