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Identification, estimation and inference in Panel Vector Autoregressions using external instruments

Raimondo Pala

arXiv 24 Nov 2025 · Econometrics

arXiv:2511.19372 · PDF · Extracted main text

Abstract

This paper proposes an identification inspired from the SVAR-IV literature that uses external instruments to identify PVARs, and discusses associated issues of identification, estimation, and inference. I introduce a form of local average treatment effect - the $μ$-LATE - which arises when a continuous instrument targets a binary treatment. Under standard assumptions of independence, exclusion, and monotonicity, I show that externally instrumented PVARs estimate the $μ$-LATE. Monte Carlo simulations illustrate that confidence sets based on the Anderson-Rubin statistics deliver reliable convergence for impulse responses. As an application, I instrument state-level military spending with the state's share of national spending to estimate the dynamic fiscal multiplier. I find multipliers above unity, with effects concentrated in the contemporaneous year and persisting into the following year.

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appendix boundary found by appendix_titled_section at “Appendix\label{sec:AppendixPVARIV}” · 66% of the source is main text. Read the extracted text to check this.

Most heavily cited references

The works this paper leans on most, across its whole bibliography — not restricted to papers in our corpus. Ranked by composite intensity, which combines how often a work is mentioned, how many sections mention it, and how much of that falls in the main text rather than the appendix.

ReferenceIntensityMentionsSectionsMain text
1Angrist, J. D., Imbens, G. W., and Rubin, D. B (1996) Identification of causal effects using instrumental variables1.00054100%
2Nakamura, E. and Steinsson, J (2014) Fiscal stimulus in a monetary union: Evidence from us regions0.9507386%
3Stock, J. H. and Watson, M. W (2018) Identification and estimation of dynamic causal effects in macroeconomics using external instruments0.92843100%
4Olea, J. L. M., Stock, J. H., and Watson, M. W (2021) Inference in structural vector autoregressions identified with an external instrument0.88810670%
5Pala, R (2025) The causal interpretation of panel vector autoregressions self0.7374275%
6Gertler, M. and Karadi, P (2015) Monetary policy surprises, credit costs, and economic activity0.73732100%
7Anderson, T. W. and Rubin, H (1949) Estimation of the parameters of a single equation in a complete system of stochastic equations0.64422100%
8Mertens, K. and Ravn, M (2013) The dynamic effects of personal and corporate income tax changes in the united states0.64422100%
9Mertens, K. and Ravn, M (2014) A reconciliation of svar and narrative estimates of tax multipliers0.64422100%
10Rambachan, A. and Shephard, N (2021) When do common time series estimands have nonparametric causal meaning?0.64422100%

Showing the top 10 of 41 scored citations.