--%>
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 : Drawback in illustration of

    Illustrations of macroeconomic aggregates would NOT consist of the: (1) tax responsibilities of a family. (2) unemployment rate. (3) level of national income. (4) supply of money. (5) rate of inflation. Can someone

    		•
  • Q : POSSIBILITIES Possibilities Food

    Possibilities Food (millions of tons per year) Tractors (millions per year) A 0 30 B 4 28 C 8 24 D 12 20 E 16 14 F 20 8 G 24 0 a. Is it possible for this nation to produce thirty million tons of food per year? Why or why not. b. Is it possible for this nation to produce thirty million

    		•
  • Q : Full-employment Define the "

    Define the "full-employment" or "natural" rate of unemployment and give its approximate percentage rate as economists currently define it.

    		•
  • Q : Adaptive expectations & Rational

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

    		•
  • 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 : Tariffs Tariffs: -are also called

    Tariffs: -are also called import quotas. -may be imposed either to raise revenue (revenue tariffs) or to shield domestic producers from foreign competition (protective tariffs). -are per unit subsidies designed to promote exports. -are excise taxes on goods exported abroad.

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

    Describe cost-push inflation and its major source.

    		•
  • Q : Principles of macroeconomics what are

    what are the four factor of economic growth

    		•
  • Q : When Macroeconomic theory least related

    Macroeconomic theory would be least related in analyzing the results of: (w) optional ways of funding deficits in international trade. (x) U.S. federal budget deficits. (y) consumer items purchased through middle-income families. (z) deficit spending through the United Nations.

    		•
  • Q : What is multiplier Multiplier : The

    Multiplier: The Multiplier is the ratio of change in income by the change in investment. Multiplier (k) = ΔY/ΔI

    		•