Greater moderations

Abstract

Using a 219-year sample, we find that the US output growth and inflation volatilities fell by 60% and 76%, respectively, from 1945 until the mid-1960s. This Postwar Moderation is more substantial than the Great Moderation. The largest reduction in inflation volatility occurred during the Classical Gold Standard period. Our empirical model implies that aggregate supply accounts for most of the changes in output growth volatility while aggregate demand accounts for most of the changes in inflation volatility.