Parameter Estimation for a Computable General Equilibrium Model: A Maximum Entropy Approach

TY - JOUR

T1 - Parameter Estimation for a Computable General Equilibrium Model

T2 - A Maximum Entropy Approach

AU - Arndt, Channing

AU - Robinson, Sherman

AU - Tarp, Finn

N1 - Final Manuscript for Economic Modelling

PY - 2002

Y1 - 2002

N2 - We introduce a maximum entropy approach to parameter estimation for computable general equilibrium (CGE) models. The approach applies information theory to estimating a system of non-linear simultaneous equations. It has a number of advantages. First, it imposes all general equilibrium constraints. Second, it permits incorporation of prior information on parameter values. Third, it can be applied in the absence of copious data. Finally, it supplies measures of the capacity of the model to reproduce the historical record and the statistical significance of parameter estimates. The method is applied to estimating a CGE model of Mozambique.

AB - We introduce a maximum entropy approach to parameter estimation for computable general equilibrium (CGE) models. The approach applies information theory to estimating a system of non-linear simultaneous equations. It has a number of advantages. First, it imposes all general equilibrium constraints. Second, it permits incorporation of prior information on parameter values. Third, it can be applied in the absence of copious data. Finally, it supplies measures of the capacity of the model to reproduce the historical record and the statistical significance of parameter estimates. The method is applied to estimating a CGE model of Mozambique.

M3 - Journal article

SN - 0264-9993

VL - 19

JO - Economic Modelling

JF - Economic Modelling

IS - 3

ER -