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The Making of Optimal and Consistent Policy: An Implementation Theory Framework for Monetary Policy

Author

Listed:
  • Huiping Yuan

    (Department of Finance, Xiamen University)

  • Stephen M. Miller

    (Department of Economics, University of Nevada, Las Vegas)

Abstract

This paper shows that optimal policy and consistent policy outcomes require the use of control-theory and game-theory solution techniques. While optimal policy and consistent policy often produce different outcomes even in a one-period model, we analyze consistent policy and its outcome in a simple model, finding that the cause of the inconsistency with optimal policy traces to inconsistent targets in the social loss function. As a result, the social loss function cannot serve as a direct loss function for the central bank. Accordingly, we employ implementation theory to design a central bank loss function (mechanism design) with consistent targets, while the social loss function serves as a social welfare criterion. That is, with the correct mechanism design for the central bank loss function, optimal policy and consistent policy become identical. In other words, optimal policy proves implementable (consistent).

Suggested Citation

  • Huiping Yuan & Stephen M. Miller, 2009. "The Making of Optimal and Consistent Policy: An Implementation Theory Framework for Monetary Policy," Working Papers 0910, University of Nevada, Las Vegas , Department of Economics.
  • Handle: RePEc:nlv:wpaper:0910
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Huiping Yuan & Stephen M. Miller & Langnan Chen, 2011. "The Optimality And Controllability Of Monetary Policy Through Delegation With Consistent Targets," Scottish Journal of Political Economy, Scottish Economic Society, vol. 58(1), pages 82-106, February.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Optimal policy; Consistent policy; Implementation theory;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E42 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Monetary Sytsems; Standards; Regimes; Government and the Monetary System
    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy
    • E58 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Central Banks and Their Policies

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