Macro parameters updates to make

[jdebacker]

macro_params.py currently pulls macroeconomic data from several sources. These include the World Bank World Development Indicators, FRED, the UN (currently unused due to changes in their API).

Despite this, we still have trouble finding values for $\alpha_T$ (total government transfers as a share of GDP) and $\alpha_G$ (government consumption expenditures).

We should clean up this file and see if we can put values to $\alpha_T$ and $\alpha_G$ with data from one of these databases.

[SeaCelo]

@jdebacker I'll spend some time updating and documenting these sources.

[SeaCelo]

Linking to previous discussion on alpha_t and alpha_g for reference: #17

Suggested changes were recommended in this comment: #17 (review)

For alpha_t: we can compute the value using this GFS data: https://data.imf.org/?sk=b052f0f0-c166-43b6-84fa-47cccae3e219&hide_uv=1
For alpha_g: the source is this GFS data: https://data.imf.org/?sk=edb0cd70-0af3-40e1-a9c3-bdef83ee4d1e&hide_uv=1

Some observations on these sources and definitions of the variables:

Aggregate Transfers (alpha_T and alpha_G) a a share of GDP
There are two possible data sources that do not match and require studying. They also have different country coverages

1. World Bank ASPIRE data: Social Expenditure Indicators by type of Social Assistance Program

2. IMF GFS Main Aggregates and Balances from GFS database: https://data.imf.org/?sk=0c63d18f-e3ca-475a-9dd9-f3ba72494fcf&hide_uv=1 (manual with variable definitions here: https://www.imf.org/external/Pubs/FT/GFS/Manual/2014/gfsfinal.pdf —see page 131 for definitions)

Note: for IMF data, use “social benefits”. Decide on using with or without social security benefits (column BX or DZ). The model uses social security as a separate input.
Here is a good query: https://data.imf.org/?sk=43b7b966-d0f2-443c-a1bd-217bf0a16c7b&hide_uv=1
Here is a query for all countries: https://data.imf.org/?sk=43 b7b966-d0f2-443c-a1bd-217bf0a16c7b&hide_uv=1

cc: @jdebacker

[jdebacker]

Updates made in PR #57