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Agent based modeling in economics and finance: past, present, and future

Abstract:
Agent-based modeling (ABM) is a novel computational methodology for representing the behavior of individuals in order to study social phenomena. Its use is rapidly growing in many fields. We review ABM in economics and finance and highlight how it can be used to relax conventional assumptions in standard economic models. In economics, ABM has enriched our understanding of markets, industrial organization, labor, macro, development, environmental and resource economics, as well as policy. In financial markets, substantial accomplishments include understanding clustered volatility, market impact, systemic risk and housing markets. We present a vision for how ABMs might be used in the future to build more realistic models of the economy and review some of hurdles that must be overcome to achieve this.
Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.1257/jel.20221319

Authors


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Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MPLS
Department:
Mathematical Institute
Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0001-7871-073X


Publisher:
American Economic Association
Journal:
Journal of Economic Literature More from this journal
Volume:
63
Issue:
1
Pages:
197–287
Publication date:
2025-03-04
Acceptance date:
2022-06-13
DOI:
EISSN:
2328-8175
ISSN:
0022-0515


Language:
English
Pubs id:
1264077
Local pid:
pubs:1264077
Deposit date:
2022-06-17

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