Macroeconomics explores the dynamic behavior of aggregate economic indicators such as employment, output and inflation, and analyzes how the microeconomic decisions of households and firms affect the economy as a whole.
What are the research topics in this area?
The Macroeconomics group addresses topics in monetary economics, international macroeconomics, labor economics and fiscal policy with a particular focus on politico-economic aspects. Current research projects study the microeconomics of price adjustment, the determinants of sovereign debt crises, the effect of labor market policies on employment, and the impact of the tax system on economic inequality.
Why is the University of Konstanz particularly strong in this area?
The group develops modern dynamic macroeconomic theories and uses micro- and macroeconomic data to evaluate the models quantitatively. The Macroeconomics group regularly organizes international conferences and workshops in cooperation with other universities in Germany and abroad. In addition, there is a weekly seminar series with internal and external speakers.
To what extent are the topics socially relevant?
Using quantitative dynamic macroeconomic models, the researchers of the Macroeconomics group contribute to a deeper understanding of the aggregate and distributional effects of economic policies. Our research has important implications for the design and conduct of monetary, fiscal and labor market policies.
How well is the group connected with the research community?
Within the university, the Macroeconomics group is connected to the Cluster “The Politics of Inequality” and the Graduate School of the Social and Behavioural Sciences. Moreover, there are many collaborations with scientists at other universities and institutions in Germany and abroad.