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A positive theory of monetary policy and robust control

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  • Juha Kilponen

    (Bank of Finland)

Abstract

This paper applies the robust control approach to a simple positive theory of monetary policy, when the central bank’s model of the economy is subject to misspecifications. It is shown that a central bank should react more aggressively to supply shocks when the model misspecifications grow larger. Moreover, the model misspecifications aggravate the inflation bias and a trade-off between output stabilisation and inflation worsens when the uncertainty surrounding the central bank’s model increases. This implies that the larger the model misspecifications are, the more inflation-averse the central bank should be.

Suggested Citation

  • Juha Kilponen, 2004. "A positive theory of monetary policy and robust control," Macroeconomics 0404014, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:wpa:wuwpma:0404014
    Note: Type of Document - pdf; pages: 26
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    File URL: https://econwpa.ub.uni-muenchen.de/econ-wp/mac/papers/0404/0404014.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kenneth Rogoff, 1985. "The Optimal Degree of Commitment to an Intermediate Monetary Target," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 100(4), pages 1169-1189.
    2. Svensson, Lars E O, 1997. "Optimal Inflation Targets, "Conservative" Central Banks, and Linear Inflation Contracts," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 87(1), pages 98-114, March.
    3. Barro, Robert J & Gordon, David B, 1983. "A Positive Theory of Monetary Policy in a Natural Rate Model," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 91(4), pages 589-610, August.
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    6. Lars E. O. Svensson, 2003. "What Is Wrong with Taylor Rules? Using Judgment in Monetary Policy through Targeting Rules," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 41(2), pages 426-477, June.
    7. Lars Peter Hansen & Thomas J Sargent, 2014. "Robust Permanent Income and Pricing," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: UNCERTAINTY WITHIN ECONOMIC MODELS, chapter 3, pages 33-81, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
    8. J. Tetlow, Robert & von zur Muehlen, Peter, 2001. "Robust monetary policy with misspecified models: Does model uncertainty always call for attenuated policy?," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 25(6-7), pages 911-949, June.
    9. Giannoni, Marc P., 2002. "Does Model Uncertainty Justify Caution? Robust Optimal Monetary Policy In A Forward-Looking Model," Macroeconomic Dynamics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 6(1), pages 111-144, February.
    10. Giordani, Paolo & Soderlind, Paul, 2004. "Solution of macromodels with Hansen-Sargent robust policies: some extensions," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 28(12), pages 2367-2397, December.
    11. Peter Von zur Muehlen, 2001. "Activist vs. non-activist monetary policy: optimal rules under extreme uncertainty," Finance and Economics Discussion Series 2001-02, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.).
    12. Roberts, John M, 1995. "New Keynesian Economics and the Phillips Curve," Journal of Money, Credit and Banking, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 27(4), pages 975-984, November.
    13. Onatski, Alexei & Stock, James H., 2002. "Robust Monetary Policy Under Model Uncertainty In A Small Model Of The U.S. Economy," Macroeconomic Dynamics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 6(1), pages 85-110, February.
    14. Sims, Christopher A., 2003. "Implications of rational inattention," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 50(3), pages 665-690, April.
    15. Kydland, Finn E & Prescott, Edward C, 1977. "Rules Rather Than Discretion: The Inconsistency of Optimal Plans," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 85(3), pages 473-491, June.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Kilponen, Juha & Leitemo, Kai, 2006. "Robustness in monetary policymaking: a case for the Friedman rule," Bank of Finland Research Discussion Papers 4/2006, Bank of Finland.
    2. Meixing Dai & Eleftherios Spyromitros, 2010. "Accountability And Transparency About Central Bank Preferences For Model Robustness," Scottish Journal of Political Economy, Scottish Economic Society, vol. 57(2), pages 212-237, May.
    3. Tillmann Peter, 2009. "Does Model Uncertainty Justify Conservatism? Robustness and the Delegation of Monetary Policy," The B.E. Journal of Macroeconomics, De Gruyter, vol. 9(1), pages 1-28, June.
    4. Juha Kilponen, 2004. "Robust expectations and uncertain models – A robust control approach with application to the New Keynesian economy," GE, Growth, Math methods 0404004, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Juha Kilponen & Kai Leitemo, 2008. "Model Uncertainty and Delegation: A Case for Friedman's "k"-Percent Money Growth Rule?," Journal of Money, Credit and Banking, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 40(2-3), pages 547-556, March.
    6. Francesco Giuli, 2007. "Robust control in a Sticky information economy," Working Papers in Public Economics 98, University of Rome La Sapienza, Department of Economics and Law.
    7. Kilponen, Juha & Leitemo, Kai, 2006. "Robustness in monetary policymaking : a case for the Friedman rule," Research Discussion Papers 4/2006, Bank of Finland.
    8. repec:zbw:bofrdp:2006_004 is not listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    risk-sensitivity; robust control theory; monetary policy; Brainard conservatism; model uncertainty;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • 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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