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Optimal Inflation Stabilization in a Medium-Scale Macroeconomic Model

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Stephanie Schmitt-Grohe
Martin Uribe

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Abstract

This paper characterizes Ramsey-optimal monetary policy in a medium-scale macroeconomic model that has been estimated to fit well postwar U.S.\ business cycles. We find that mild deflation is Ramsey optimal in the long run. However, the optimal inflation rate appears to be highly sensitive to the assumed degree of price stickiness. Within the window of available estimates of price stickiness (between 2 and 5 quarters) the optimal rate of inflation ranges from -4.2 percent per year (close to the Friedman rule) to -0.4 percent per year (close to price stability). This sensitivity disappears when one assumes that lump-sum taxes are unavailable and fiscal instruments take the form of distortionary income taxes. In this case, mild deflation emerges as a robust Ramsey prediction. In light of the finding that the Ramsey-optimal inflation rate is negative, it is puzzling that most inflation-targeting countries pursue positive inflation goals. We show that the zero bound on the nominal interest rate, which is often cited as a rationale for setting positive inflation targets, is of no quantitative relevance in the present model. Finally, the paper characterizes operational interest-rate feedback rules that best implement Ramsey-optimal stabilization policy. We find that the optimal interest-rate rule is active in price and wage inflation, mute in output growth, and moderately inertial. This rule achieves virtually the same level of welfare as the Ramsey optimal policy.

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Paper provided by National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc in its series NBER Working Papers with number 11854.

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Date of creation: Dec 2005
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Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:11854

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Find related papers by JEL classification:
E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy
E61 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Policy Objectives; Policy Designs and Consistency; Policy Coordination
E63 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Comparative or Joint Analysis of Fiscal and Monetary Policy; Stabilization

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Full references

Cited by:
(explanations, 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.)

  1. Ester Faia, 2009. "Oligopolistic Competition and Optimal Monetary Policy," Kiel Working Papers 1552, Kiel Institute for the World Economy. [Downloadable!]
  2. Roc Armenter & Martin Bodenstein, 2006. "Of nutters and doves," International Finance Discussion Papers 885, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.). [Downloadable!]
  3. Matthieu Darracq Pariès & Stéphane Adjemian & Stéphane Moyen, 2007. "Optimal monetary policy in an estimated DSGE for the euro area," Working Paper Series 803, European Central Bank. [Downloadable!]
  4. Stephanie Schmitt-Grohé & Martín Uribe, 2006. "Optimal Simple and Implementable Monetary and Fiscal Rules: Expanded Version," NBER Working Papers 12402, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  5. Ansgar, Rannenberg, 2009. "Disinflation and the NAIRU in a New-Keynesian New-Growth Model (Extended Version)," MPRA Paper 13610, University Library of Munich, Germany. [Downloadable!]
  6. Stephanie Schmitt-Grohe & Martin Uribe, 2006. "Comparing Two Variants of Calvo-Type Wage Stickiness," NBER Working Papers 12740, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  7. Anna Kormilitsina, 2009. "Oil Price Shocks and the Optimality of Monetary Policy," Departmental Working Papers 0901, Southern Methodist University, Department of Economics. [Downloadable!]
  8. Stéphane Adjemian & Matthieu Darracq Pariès & Stéphane Moyen, 2008. "Towards a monetary policy evaluation framework," Working Paper Series 942, European Central Bank. [Downloadable!]
  9. Meenakshi Basant Roi & Rhys R. Mendes, 2007. "Should Central Banks Adjust Their Target Horizons in Response to House-Price Bubbles?," Discussion Papers 07-4, Bank of Canada. [Downloadable!]
  10. Ester Faia, 2007. "Ramsey monetary policy with labour market frictions," Working Paper Series 707, European Central Bank. [Downloadable!]
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  11. Arato, Hiroki, 2008. "Optimal operational monetary policy rules in an endogenous growth model: a calibrated analysis," MPRA Paper 8547, University Library of Munich, Germany. [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  12. Matthieu Darracq Pariès, 2007. "International frictions and optimal monetary policy cooperation - analytical solutions," Working Paper Series 834, European Central Bank. [Downloadable!]
  13. Ester Faia, 2006. "Optimal monetary policy rules with labor market frictions," Working Paper Series 698, European Central Bank. [Downloadable!]
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  14. Ansgar Rannenberg, 2009. " Shocks, Monetary Policy and Institutions: Explaining Unemployment Persistence in "Europe" and the United States," CDMA Working Paper Series 0903, Centre for Dynamic Macroeconomic Analysis. [Downloadable!]
  15. Frank Smets & Matthieu Darracq Pariès & Stéphane Adjemian, 2008. "A quantitative perspective on optimal monetary policy cooperation between the US and the euro area," Working Paper Series 884, European Central Bank. [Downloadable!]
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  17. Harashima, Taiji, 2007. "The Optimal Quantity of Money Consistent with Positive Nominal Interest Rates," MPRA Paper 1839, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 19 Feb 2007. [Downloadable!]
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