--%>
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 : Supply law and it's factors State the

    State the Law of supply and explain the factors that affecting supply of commodity

    		•
  • Q : Money-just another good ‘What occurs in

    ‘What occurs in the money market when there is a raise in income?’

    		•
  • Q : Meaning of Cash Reserve Ratio or CRR

    Meaning of Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR): It is the percentage of net or total deposits of commercial bank that are maintained by RBI.

    		•
  • Q : Type of market when people cannot buy

    Whenever people can’t purchase all of a good they are willing and capable to pay for at present market price, there is surely a market: (1) Price ceiling. (2) Price floor. (3) Shortage. (4) Anomaly.  (5) Surplus. Please

    		•
  • Q : Full-employment and Under-employment

    Distinguish between full-employment equilibrium and Under-employment equilibrium. Whenever equality among AD and AS is at full employment level it is termed as full employment equilibrium. Although whenever equali

    		•
  • Q : Foreign trade eliminate deficient demand

    In what respect foreign trade will be helpful in eliminating the adverse economic influences of deficient demand? Answer: Export increases the demand for services a

    		•
  • Q : Fiscal policy actions What possible

    What possible fiscal policy actions can be taken with respect to expenses and income to accurate excess demand and deficient demand in economy? Answer:

  • 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

    		•
  • Q : Consumer Equilibrium of two goods The

    The consumer reaches equilibrium for any two goods X and Y whenever the: (1) MUx/Px = MUy/Py. (2) MUx/MUy = Py/Px. (3) Utility from X equivalents the utility produced by Y. (4) Point of diminishing returns is arrived at. Can someon

    		•
  • Q : Problem on equivalent Consumer Surplus

    Tom reimburses $5.00 for a ticket to see a present hit movie. If Tom was willing to reimburse up to $7.00 for that ticket, his consumer surplus equals: (1) $5.00 (2) $2.00 (3) $7.00 (4) Tom does not receive any consumer surplus as he purchased the ticket.