Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) models that, whether isolated or in sets, would provide a
better policy definition and analysis, from better data. In this case, it would also be possible to speak
about the past, present and future and/or about ex-ante and ex-post analysis.
On the other hand, considering modelling techniques as a support for (socio)economic theory, better
grounded empirical evidence could be a way in which to (re)evaluate that theory or even to
(re)orient the way in which reality is being defined and conceptualized, considering the changes in
(socio)economic circumstances and perspectives that we are currently experiencing all around the
world.
The possibility of making either a top-down or a bottom-up approach without losing the consistency
of the whole system also allows for research into the relationships between macro, meso and micro
simulations, among others.
With the specification of the defined methodology, domestic statistical institutes do not need to
construct and provide SAMs or NAMs. They only need to provide detailed information on national
(T) accounts transactions and the corresponding “from whom to whom” matrices in those cases in
which all the transactions are not covered by the fundamental and complementary tables of national
accounts. And from these, the users would be able to select and work upon the data according to
their needs. Obviously, the level and characteristics of such detail needs to be carefully defined.
References
Abbink, G., Braber, M. and Cohen, S. (1995). A SAM-CGE demonstration model for Indonesia:
static and dynamic specifications and experiments. International Economic Journal, 9(3), 15-33.
Eurostat (1996). European System of Accounts (ESA 95). Eurostat, Luxembourg.
IWSG - Inter-Secretariat Working Group (1993). System of National Accounts (SNA 93).
Commission of the European Communities - Eurostat, BrusselsZLuxembourg; International
Monetary Fund, Washington, DC; Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development,
Paris; United Nations Statistical Office, New York; World Bank, Washington DC.
Keuning, S.J. (1991). Proposal for a Social Accounting Matrix which fits into the next System of
National Accounts. Economic Systems Research, 3, 233-248.
Keuning, S.J. (1996). Accounting for Economic Development and Social Change. IOS Press,
Amsterdam, 233 pp.
Pyatt, G. (1988). A SAM Approach to Modeling. Journal of Policy Modeling, 10, 327-352
Pyatt, G. (1991). Fundamentals of Social Accounting. Economic Systems Research, 3, 315-341.
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