--%>
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 : National disposable income What must be

    What must be added to NNPMP to obtain net national disposable income? Answer: The Net current transfers from abroad must be added to NNPMP to get national disposabl

    		•
  • Q : Equilibrium The equilibrium interest

    The equilibrium interest rate is determined

    		•
  • Q : When people purchase goods People will

    People will purchase goods when their demand prices equivalent or surpass: (i) Transaction costs. (ii) Subjective prices. (iii) Price indexes. (iv) Market prices. (v) Wholesale prices. Please someone suggest me the right answer.

    		•
  • Q : Market Economy Explain the statement "

    Explain the statement "Hypothes is the basic short run and long run behaviors of the airline industry in a market economy".

    		•
  • Q : Merger and acquisition of firms

    Question: Suppose firm 1 and firm 2 merge. Call the new firm A. It has output xA and profit πA. Suppose there is Cournot competition after the merger. For now, we assume that the marginal cost of Firm A, the mer

    		•
  • Q : About macroeconomics Do you think that

    Do you think that macroeconomic policy should be designed to achieve a measured unemployment rate of zero? Why or why not should this be the case?

    		•
  • Q : Self consumption-Value of output

    Illustrate whether output generated for self consumption is comprised or not comprised in the value of output? Answer: The output generated for self consumption is

    		•
  • Q : International trade the most frequently

    the most frequently asked question on foreign direct invetment

    		•
  • Q : Poorer good for American families The

    The most probable of the following to be a poorer good for most American families who purchase some of each of such products throughout a given year would be: (i) Plastic surgery. (ii) College textbooks. (iii) Films on DVD. (iv) Cup-a-Noodles soup. (v) Downloads for t

    		•
  • Q : Effect of flood on demand Mold which

    Mold which destroyed the hamburger crop following a flood would be most probable to slash the demands for: (1) Fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy. (2) Soda pop and water. (3) Cucumbers, carrots, and egg plant. (4) Mustard and ketchup. (5) Tofu and sushi.

    		•