--%>

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 : Introduction of the term combined

    Give a brief introduction of the term combined leverage? And in what manner it is calculated?

  • 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

  • Q : Illustrate how Macroeconomics examines

    Illustrate how Macroeconomics examines the economy as a whole?

  • Q : How can we compute operating leverage

    How can we compute operating leverage?

  • Q : Attributed statement of the utilitarian

    “The best of all probable worlds is one in that we adopt policies which maximize the happiness of the lots number of people” is a statement of the utilitarian philosophy attributed to: (w) Alfred Korzybski. (x) Hugo Grotius. (y) Xenophon.

  • Q : Opportunity Cost Opportunity Cost :

    Opportunity Cost:Whenever you select a particular alternative, the next best alternative should be given up. For illustration, when you desire to watch cricket highlights in T.V., you should

  • Q : Expiation of Economists for Economic

    Please help me to solve the problem of economic that is given below: Economists describe economic costs as like: (w) money outlays. (x) accounting cost. (y) opportunity cost. (z) v

  • Q : Public Sector Government Role

    Illustrate the Public Sector Government’s Role of providing the legal structure?

  • Q : Describe Low financial leverage and low

    Describe briefly Low financial leverage, low operating leverage?

  • Q : Explain about the principle of

    Economic efficiency needs that, relative to the other goods which different individuals might consume, the people who value exact goods relatively the most should own and/or use all goods. Such principle is termed as: (i) economic equity. (ii) allocat