--%>
Assignment Help - homework help

Would inflation targeting be a good policy

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 Macroeconomics

  • Q : Weighed marginal cost and marginal

    Cite examples of recent decisions that you made in which you, at least implicitly, weighed marginal cost and marginal benefit?

    		•
  • Q : Utilization of Bond market to make and

    How does the FED utilize the bond market to make and destroy money? Which technique do developed countries utilize to decrease the chance of experiencing inflation? What about the Banana Republicans and inflation, do they have this means acessible to

    		•
  • Q : Adaptive expectations & Rational

    Question: Compare and contrast 'adaptive expectations' (Hubbard uses adaptive expectations)  and 'rational expectations' in modeling expectations. Answer:<

    		•
  • Q : How commercial bank make money How does

    How does a commercial bank make money? Answer: Commercial banks are capable to make credit that is many times greater than deposits received by banks. Money creatio

    		•
  • Q : Define Quantity of a good Quantity of a

    Quantity of a good: The quantity of a good which buyers demand is found out by the price of the good, income, the prices of associated goods, expectations, tastes, and the number of buyers.

    		•
  • Q : Equilibrium of a market How can

    How can Equilibrium of a market be exist?

    		•
  • Q : Purchasing and consumption of

    The usual household maximizes the utility by spending all its money to purchase and consume a combination of goods which yields: (1) Fundamental physiological requirements and customary wants. (2) Maximum status and the social prestige. (3) Complete satisfaction of al

    		•
  • Q : Define fiscal policy Define fiscal

    Define fiscal policy? Answer: Fiscal policy is the revenue and expenditure policy of government with a view to combat the state of inflationary or deflationary gap

    		•
  • Q : Physical quality of life index DISCUSS

    DISCUSS the experience of high GNP countries and low GNP with regard to PQLI.

    		•
  • Q : Control of Inflation Economists agree

    Economists agree that inflation beyond a moderate rate is undesirable as it can often prove disastrous and therefore, it must be kept under control. Economists agree also that an appropriate mix of fiscal and monetary policies can be helpful in controlling inflation.

    		•