--%>
Assignment Help - homework help

Formally adopt inflation targeting

Question: Why might it be difficult for the Fed to formally adopt inflation targeting?  Would inflation targeting be a good policy for the Fed in the present economic environment?

Answer:

The most important part of the inflation targeting debate is about the optimal level of inflation. While many people believe that it should be in the range of 2%, it is difficult to ascertain the actual optimal level. Again, if the rate is fixed to 2%, then the Fed will have limited scope for a cut back in the interest rates, which might be required periodically to boost investment. Another case in point is that empirical evidence has suggested that US has experienced lowest level of unemployment when the inflation rate was in the range of 3-5%.

Another problem is that the inflation targeting itself might not be efficient, asset price and hence the asset market control will also become important if the goals of inflation targeting are to be realized. In the present economic scenario, when the economy needs stimulus, and investment levels are quite low with high level of unemployment, inflation targeting does not seem to be a good policy measure. There is a need for an increase in the aggregate demand, which if materializes, will lead to an increase in inflation. And if inflation targeting is in place, the interest rates will have to be hiked, which will hamper recovery.

 

   Related Questions in Business Economics

  • Q : Historical process by Adam Smith of

    Writings on the historical process by Adam Smith of economic development do not comprise heavy reliance upon: (1) the development of property rights. (2) self interest. (3) divisions of labor in production processes. (4) innovations d

    		•
  • Q : Major implication of invisible hand of

    The major implication of Adam Smith’s conception of an “invisible hand” was such that: (w) pursuit of individual self interest must be controlled. (x) most people lose sight of what’s good for society. (y) most

    		•
  • Q : Fixed costs and Variable cost

    Questions: 1: Which of the following are likely to be fixed costs and which variable costs for a chocolate factory over the course of a month?  Explain your choice.

    Q : Programs exchanged in the market For

    For the question below, utilize the given information. The market for gizmos is competitive, with an increasing sloping supply curve and a downward sloping demand curve. With no govt. intervention, the equilibrium price is $25 and the equilibrium quantity is 10,000 gi

    		•
  • Q : Production Possibility Curve Production

    Production Possibility Curve: Similar to the individuals, a society as entire has restricted resources. It has to decide what to manufacture with restricted resource

    		•
  • Q : Describe the equation of a linear

    Describe the equation of a linear relationship?

    		•
  • Q : Describe Quasi-public goods Describe

    Describe Quasi-public goods?

    		•
  • Q : The market system not only accepts

    Explain the statements: The market system not only accepts self-interest as a fact of human existence.

    		•
  • Q : Meaning of Economic Development

    Question Discuss what "economic development" means in the context of this game? (Hint: How do you win, and what do you have at the end of the game that you did not have at the beginning of the game?)

  • Q : Are quantities supplied-demanded equal

    In perfectly competitive market, the market demand curve is given by Qd = 10 − Pd, and the market supply curve is given by Qs = 1.5Ps. a) Prove that the market equilibrium price and

    		•