--%>
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 : 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

    		•
  • Q : Cost-push inflation Describe cost-push

    Describe cost-push inflation and its major source.

    		•
  • Q : Value of fiscal deficit Evaluate the

    Evaluate the value of fiscal deficit when primary deficit is 53,000 crores and interest on borrowings is Rs 5,000 crores?

    		•
  • Q : What is Time Bound-Banking Industry

    Time Bound: It is essential for bank to lay goals and also have the deadline for the completion of each goal. To be a market leader bank needs to work hard. They need to dedicate more time and resources to attain required success. A time associated wi

    		•
  • Q : Definition of surplus Definition of

    Definition of surplus: It is a condition in which quantity supplied is more than quantity demanded. To remove the surplus, producers will minimize the price till the market reaches to equilibrium.

    		•
  • 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 : Fiscal deficit in government budget

    What does fiscal deficit in government budget mean? Answer: This means more borrowing on the portion of government.

    		•
  • Q : Potential GDP The hypothetical

    The hypothetical information in the following table shows what the economic situation will be in 2015 if the Fed does not use monetary policy: Year Potential GDP Real GDP Price Level 2014 $15.2 trillion $15.2 trillion 110.0 2015 $15.6 trillion $15.8 trillion

    		•
  • Q : If the MPC is .70 and investment

    If the MPC is .70 and investment increases by $3 billion, the equilibrium GDP will:

    		•
  • Q : Macroeconomic perspective for Economic

    A family’s newly constructed home can produce the service of shelter across several years, therefore from a macroeconomic perspective, this is most reasonably classified as: (i) economic capital. (ii) social infrastructure. (iii) market capitalization. (iv) a fi

    		•