--%>
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 : Organization identify the reasons for

    identify the reasons for the formation of organizations

    		•
  • Q : Capitalism-Tightly regulate business I

    I have a problem in economics on Capitalism-Tightly regulate business. Please help me in the following question. The govt. in a purely capitalist state would not: (1) Find out the property rights. (2) Enforce contracts among private parties. (3) Offer

    		•
  • Q : Demand supply Newspaper item: “Due to

    Newspaper item: “Due to lower grain prices, consumers can expect retail prices of choice beef to begin dropping slightly this spring with pork becoming cheaper after midsummer,” the Agriculture Department predicted. “This reflects increasing supply,” the department said. Does the statement use th

    		•
  • Q : Individuals self-interests and broader

    A natural harmony among individuals serving their own self-interests and the broader interests of society was the main theme of the theories of __________, although this concept was not accepted through _________. Determine the correct answer from given options: (w) K

    		•
  • Q : Guardian implies that there really is

    Evaluate and explain the statements: “Market is its own guardian implies that there really is an invisible hand or taskmaster that watches over the decision makers in the marketplace”

    		•
  • Q : Importance of Price Earnings Ratio

    Write down the importance of Price Earnings Ratio?

    		•
  • Q : Introduction of the term Financial

    Give a brief introduction of the term Financial Leverage?

    		•
  • Q : Specialization and trade according to

    Not between concepts explained in Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations was the conception which net benefits occur from: (1) specialization and trade according to comparative advantage. (2) the division of labor in production processes. (3) reliance o

    		•
  • Q : Explain the shapes of the

    Specify and explain the shapes of the marginal-benefit and marginal-cost curves and use these curves to determine the optimal allocation of resources to a particular product.  If current output is such that marginal cost exceeds marginal benefit, should more or l

    		•
  • Q : Exchange rate in purchasing power parity

    Question: In June 2005, a Big Mac sold for 6,000 pesos in Colombia and $3.00 in the United States.  The exchange rate in June 2005 was 2,300 pesos per US Dollar.  So, on Big Mac purchasing power parity gr

    		•