Budget deficits and real interest rates: Updated empirical evidence on causality

Using error-correction model (ECM) estimation, the paper empirically examines the causality relationship between the federal government budget deficit and the ex ante real interest rate yield on high grade long term tax free municipal bonds in the U.S. To clarify this deficit or interest rate relationship, the budget deficit is measured by the primary budget deficit, which excludes net interest payments by the Treasury. In a model that includes federal personal income tax rates and net international capital flows, as well as money supply growth, the ECM estimates strongly suggest a bi-directional relationship between the primary budget deficit and the ex ante real interest rate yield. Budget deficits apparently do matter! William Simon's concerns were justified.The author is indebted to P. A. V. B. Swamy for ideas and helpful suggestions and Will Perry for data assembly and processing.     

Additive and Multiplicative Uncertainty Revisited: What Explains the Contrasting Biases?

above the certainty level while for additive uncertainty the price should be lower than the certainty level. This note gives an intuitive explanation for the result after first presenting a parsimonious review of the two models. We also discuss which, if either, of the two models is more realistic. Received December 14, 2001; revised version received July 16, 2002 Published online: April 30, 2003 We thank referees for helpful comments. Ciaran Driver would like to acknowledge the research facilities from ANU, Canberra for their help in writing this paper.     

农村信用社发展的困境及纾解方案

农村信用社发展面临的障碍是:产权关系不明确,产权形式不规范;资源结构不合理;基础设施落后;结算渠道单一,汇路不畅;劳动用工制度僵化,员工素质低下.应通过深化改革,加强管理,加大政策扶植力度来解决.     

明清古村——朱家峪

从济南市区沿济王公路东行约50公里,在秀水之阳胡山之阴有一个已有600多年历史的明清古村——朱家峪。 朱家峪,现辖属章丘市官庄乡。考章丘市地名志,小村曾数易其名。明洪武初年,朱氏家族始祖朱良盛携家眷自河北枣强迁到该村。因朱是国姓,即与明太祖