We explore the connection between optimal monetary policy and heterogeneity among agents. We utilize a standard monetary economy with two types of agents that differ in the marginal utility they derive from real money balances-a framework that produces a nondegenerate stationary distribution of money holdings. Without type-specific fiscal policy, we show that the zero-nominal-interest-rate policy (the Friedman rule) does not maximize type-specific welfare; further, it may not maximize aggregate ex ante social welfare. Indeed one or, more surprisingly, both types of agents may benefit if the central bank deviates from the Friedman rule.
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Paper provided by Federal Reserve Bank of New York in its series Staff Reports with number
208.
Joydeep Bhattacharya & Joseph Haslag & Antoine Martin & Rajesh Singh, 2008.
"Who Is Afraid Of The Friedman Rule?,"
Economic Inquiry,
Western Economic Association International, vol. 46(2), pages 113-130, 04.
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Joseph H. Haslag & Joydeep Bhattacharya & Antoine Martin & Rajesh Singh, 2004.
"Who is Afraid of the Friedman Rule?,"
Working Papers
0421, Department of Economics, University of Missouri, revised 21 Dec 2004.
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References listed on IDEAS Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.:
Edward J. Green & Ruilin Zhou, 2005.
"Money As A Mechanism In A Bewley Economy,"
International Economic Review,
Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 46(2), pages 351-371, 05.
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Joydeep Bhattacharya & Joseph H. Haslag & Antoine Martin, 2005.
"Heterogeneity, Redistribution, And The Friedman Rule,"
International Economic Review,
Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 46(2), pages 437-454, 05.
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