--%>
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 : Levels of income with no exceptions for

    A flat rate income tax for all levels of income along with no exceptions would be taken as a: (i) proportional tax. (ii) progressive tax. (iii) regressive tax. (iv) common tax. Can anybody suggest me the proper exp

    		•
  • Q : Principles of macroeconomics what are

    what are the four factor of economic growth

    		•
  • Q : Weighed marginal cost and marginal

    Cite examples of recent decisions that you made in which you, at least implicitly, weighed marginal cost and marginal benefit?

    		•
  • Q : Reallocation of resources through budget

    Reallocation of resources: In case, the market economy fails or does not attain the desired social objectives, the government has to interfere via budget and reallocate resources accordingly. Through its budgetary

    		•
  • Q : Determinants of transaction demand.

    With the help of graph discuss the determinants of transaction demand.

    		•
  • Q : Physical quality of life index DISCUSS

    DISCUSS the experience of high GNP countries and low GNP with regard to PQLI.

    		•
  • Q : Value of imports of goods The country’s

    The country’s balance of trade is Rs.500 crores. The value of exports of goods is Rs. 650 crores. What is the value of imports of goods?

    		•
  • Q : Define involuntary unemployment

    Involuntary unemployment: Involuntary unemployment terms to a condition in which people that are willing to work are unable to obtain work.

    		•
  • Q : When price of demand curve modified

    Whenever the price of a good all along a demand curve is modified since of a change in supply, the substitution effect is the modification in purchases of a good which result from a change merely in: (1) The associative price of that good. (2) Consumer tastes and prio

    		•
  • Q : Revenue receipts and Capital receipts

    Elucidate the basis of categorizing government receipts into revenue receipts and capital receipts. Answer: Revenue Receipts: The government revenue receipts are such receipts A) that neither makes liability