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Optimal inflation in an open economy with imperfect competition

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Abstract

This paper uses a two-country, monetary general equilibrium model with imperfect competition to study the optimal rate of inflation in an open economy. In contrast with the closed economy literature, when policy is set non-cooperatively in the open economy, the optimality of the Friedman rule is not a general result. Monetary authorities face an incentive to use the inflation tax to gain a \"beggar-thy-neighbor\" advantage over the terms of trade. Strategic use of the inflation tax, however, results in coordination failure. International monetary cooperation helps to mitigate this coordination failure and, as a result, can lead to more efficient equilibria. Monetary union ensures the maximum gain from cooperation by restoring the optimality of the global Friedman rule, placing the world economy at the Pareto frontier.

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  • David M. Arseneau, 2004. "Optimal inflation in an open economy with imperfect competition," Finance and Economics Discussion Series 2004-25, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.).
  • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedgfe:2004-25
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    Cited by:

    1. De Paoli, Bianca, 2009. "Monetary policy and welfare in a small open economy," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 77(1), pages 11-22, February.
    2. Cengiz, Gulfer & Cicek, Deniz & Kuzubas, Tolga Umut & Olcay, Nadide Banu & Saglam, Ismail, 2007. "A Monetary Union Model with Cash-in-Advance Constraints," MPRA Paper 4248, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Gianluca Benigno & Bianca De Paoli, 2010. "On the International Dimension of Fiscal Policy," Journal of Money, Credit and Banking, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 42(8), pages 1523-1542, December.

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    Monetary policy; Inflation (Finance);

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