What is the future of macro ABM? | YSI Side Event @ WEHIA 2022

Agent-based models (ABM) have recently gained space in economic research. They provide a useful tool for dealing with heterogeneity, non-linearities, interactions, etc, and offer important insights into policy decisions.

This widespread use of ABM has been accompanied by a growing debate on how it should be related to mainstream economics. While some scholars believe that ABM can eventually become “the mainstream”, others believe that they will remain as complementary to other models, such as DSGE, and they should also incorporate some of their assumptions.

In this side event, we will question “What is the future of macro ABM: the new mainstream?”. Young scholars interested in this important question are welcome to join us in this debate with a distinguished invited professor (tbc). This discussion will help researchers using ABM to position themselves in this debate, framing their research in a way that reflects their opinion on the future of ABM in macroeconomics. It will also be an opportunity for the KEWG to reflect on how ABM have contributed to the expansion of Keynesian economics and what are the main differences with respect to other approaches.

The side event will take place during the WEHIA conference in Catânia, Italy, from June 22-24th, 2022.

Selected young scholars will receive accommodation and a partial travel stipend.