Econometric Estimates of the Liquidity Trap Hypothesis

Abstract

During my SIP quarter I held a full time internship with Data Resources Incorporated (DRI) in the main office in Lexington, Massachusetts. I was hired as a research assistant and expected to perform the same duties as most of the other research assistants. Section I of this paper is a study of the liquidity trap hypothesis. This section begins with an overview of the theory that lies behind the hypothesis as interpreted by Keynes and his successors. Next, some previously conducted studies are described in order to provide a background for a current study. These studies include those conducted by Howard Pifer, Robert Eisner and Panos Konstas and Mohamad Khouja. Finally, a recent study of the hypothesis is conducted, the results are listed and conclusions are drawn from the empirical evidence. Section II contains the project that I created for DRI during my internship, an explanation of what the project is, how it was created and how it will be used in the future by DRI employees. The project was created for the Foreign Exchange Service offered by DRI. This service provides continuous coverage of exchange rates, interest rates and bond yields for thirty-two industrialized and developing countries, including comprehensive analysis of the frequently traded currencies in Latin America and Asia. Section III is a synopsis of how my internship with DRI has affected my future career plans. In addition, this part explains my career goals and graduate school plans.