--%>
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 : Reducing illegal programs for public

    Methadone programs for addicts are intended at reducing illegal heroin traffic through: (i) decreasing the heroin supply. (ii) increasing the price of heroin. (iii) decreasing the demand for heroin. (iv) executing drug dealers. Hel

    		•
  • Q : Fiscal deficits What are the causes of

    What are the causes of the fiscal deficits experienced by many developed nations in the past three years and what are the main effects of the resulting government borrowing? For example – Greece/Ireland/Portugal/Spain situation and the large def

    		•
  • Q : Goals of Microeconomic Hello guys I

    Hello guys I need your advice. Please advise your view for following economics problems. Microeconomic goals consist of: (w) full employment. (x) efficient allotments of resources. (y) price level stability. (z) ec

    		•
  • Q : Define voluntary unemployment Voluntary

    Voluntary unemployment: It refers to a condition when person are not willing to do work at customary market wage rate, though they are receiving a work.

    		•
  • Q : GDP In calculating the GDP national

    In calculating the GDP national income accountants:

    		•
  • Q : Equilibrium The equilibrium interest

    The equilibrium interest rate is determined

    		•
  • Q : Transactions demand for money The basic

    The basic determinant of the transactions demand for money is the

    		•
  • Q : Paradox of Value problem I have a

    I have a problem in economics on Paradox of Value problem. Please help me in the following question. The Diamond Water Paradox occurs from the difficulties in differentiating between: (i) Consumer surplus and the total utility. (ii) Total utility and

    		•
  • Q : Export business prefer rising or

    Would export businesses choose a rising or declining dollar? Would it be similar for a European tourist on a budget and visiting the Grand Canyon? Explain your answer.

    		•
  • Q : Fiscal Monetary changes With the

    With the general equilibrium framework in place, the stage is now set for introducing fiscal and monetary changes and analysing their effects on the general equilibrium. We will first introduce a fiscal change in the form of increase in deficit-financed expenditure, a

    		•