Political uncertainty and macro-financial dynamics in the BRICS

Abstract

We empirically study the impact of political uncertainty on macro-financial variables (stock prices, inflation, consumption) and behavioral dynamics (consumer confidence, anxiety) in the BRICS over the period 1990–2022. To this end, we applied a panel vector autoregressive (PVAR) model that tests further endogenous interactions between the variables in the model. Accordingly, we find that political uncertainty increases inflation while reducing consumer spending and stock prices. In addition, we find that consumer confidence and investor anxiety are negatively affected by political uncertainty. Our results have different implications, especially for policymakers who have to tackle political uncertainty in order to protect householders and investors more effectively.