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Optimal monetary policy: is price‐level targeting the next step?

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  • Patrick Minford
  • David Peel

Abstract

We examine whether inflation targeting should be regarded as optimal. Targeting inflation implies (undesirably) that price level variance tends to infinity: we produce some evidence from both a representative agent model and a long‐used forecasting model that, once an endogenous indexation response is allowed for, price level targeting imposes no extra costs of macro variability, indeed gives significant gains.

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  • Patrick Minford & David Peel, 2003. "Optimal monetary policy: is price‐level targeting the next step?," Scottish Journal of Political Economy, Scottish Economic Society, vol. 50(5), pages 650-667, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:scotjp:v:50:y:2003:i:5:p:650-667
    DOI: 10.1111/j.0036-9292.2003.05005005.x
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    Cited by:

    1. Vojtech Molnar, 2022. "Price Level Targeting with Imperfect Rationality: A Heuristic Approach," Working Papers 2022/1, Czech National Bank.
    2. Patrick Minford & Naveen Srinivasan, 2011. "Determinacy in New Keynesian Models: A Role for Money after All?," International Finance, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 14(2), pages 211-229, June.
    3. Steve Ambler, 2009. "Price‐Level Targeting And Stabilisation Policy: A Survey," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 23(5), pages 974-997, December.
    4. Haider Ali & Eatzaz Ahmad, 2014. "Choice of Monetary Policy Instrument under Targeting Regimes in a Simple Stochastic Macro Model," PIDE-Working Papers 2014:102, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics.
    5. Lees, Kirdan & Warburton, Sam, 2010. "A happy "half way-house"? Medium term inflation targeting in New Zealand," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 29(5), pages 819-839, September.
    6. Hatcher, Michael C., 2011. "Comparing inflation and price-level targeting: A comprehensive review of the literature," Cardiff Economics Working Papers E2011/22, Cardiff University, Cardiff Business School, Economics Section.
    7. Minford, Patrick & Le, Vo Phuong Mai, 2006. "Calvo Contracts - Optimal Indexation in General Equilibrium," CEPR Discussion Papers 5616, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    8. Berger, Wolfram, 2008. "Monetary policy rules and the exchange rate," Journal of Macroeconomics, Elsevier, vol. 30(3), pages 1064-1084, September.

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