Based on the established literature, we develop a structural model for the Norwegian economy that incorporates feed-backs from asset prices and credit to the real economy. We then use this framework for policy analysis, focusing on the role of asset prices and credit under optimal simple...

Finanskrisen har skapt en forholdsvis bred konsensus om at eksisterende regulering av finansmarkedene har rettet for mye oppmerksomhet mot de individuelle finansinstitusjoners risiko, og for lite oppmerksomhet mot risikoen det finansielle systemet som helhet. Nye styringsverktøy rettet mot...

Economic theory predicts that higher uncertainty motivates households to consume less. In this paper we empirically assess how household consumption in Norway responds to variation in economic uncertainty. We consider alternative measures of uncertainty, volatility indexes from financial markets...

Vi diskuterer tiltakene for å dempe eurokrisen i lys av en enkel teori om forventningsdrevne gjeldskriser. [...] I dette notatet gir vi en enkel teoretisk fremstilling av forventningsdrevne gjeldskriser og hvordan ulike mottiltak vil kunne fungere. I lys av denne teorien diskuterer vi deretter...

We identify exogenous variation in incumbent policymakers' re-election probabilities and explore empirically how this variation affects the incumbents' investment in physical capital. Our results indicate that a higher re-election probability leads to higher investments, particularly in the...

We identify exogenous variation in incumbent policymakers' re-election probabilities and explore empirically how this variation affects the incumbents' investment in physical capital. Our results indicate that a higher re-election probability leads to higher investments, particularly in the...

Rational choice theories of electoral participation stress that an individual's decision to vote depends on her expected net benefit from doing so. If this instrumental motive is relevant, then turnout should be higher in elections where more is at stake. We test this prediction, by studying how...