--%>

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 : Microeconomic analysis emphasizing to

    Family member to macroeconomics, the microeconomic analysis: (w) was emphasized through economists prior to the Great Depression. (x) is related with the effects of extensive government policies. (y) focuses upon economic development

  • Q : Plan and non-plan expenditure Write a

    Write a brief note on plan and non-plan expenditure of the government with illustration. Answer: Plan Expenditure

  • 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 : Evaluation of net present value Explain

    Explain evaluation of net present value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR) in brief?

  • 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 : Define Devaluation Devaluation means

    Devaluation means decrease in the external value of a country’s currency as an aware policy measure adopted by the Government of a country. In another words, we make our currency less costly in terms of foreign currency. This builds our goods ch

  • Q : EQUILIBRIUM GDP WHAT IS THE CHANGE IN

    WHAT IS THE CHANGE IN EQUILIBRIUM gdp CAUSED BY THE ADDITION OF NET EXPORTS?

  • Q : Fiscal measures to accurate

    Describe the fiscal measures to accurate the condition of deficient demand and excess demand. Answer: Fiscal measures are the government’s budgetary policy th

  • Q : Purchasing good according to Law of

    The market price you pay for each and every particular goods you purchase regularly is probably most closely associated with the last unit of each and every good’s: (1) Marginal utility. (2) Total utility. (3) Producer surplus. (4) Consumer surplus. (5) Economic

  • Q : Analyzing number of event that

    How can we analyze the number of event that influences the market?