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When discretion is better: Initial conditions and the timeless perspective

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  • Sauer, Stephan

Abstract

According to Woodford (1999) and (2003) [Woodford, Michael, 1999. Commentary: how should monetary policy be conducted in an era of price stability? In: New challenges for monetary policy. Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, pp. 277-316; Woodford, Michael, 2003. Interest and prices: foundations of a theory of monetary policy. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ], optimal monetary policy in the New Keynesian model follows the timeless perspective rule. We show why an economy that is sufficiently far away from its steady-state suffers from a short-run cost associated with the timeless perspective. In this case, discretionary policy-making can be better than the timeless perspective policy rule.

Suggested Citation

  • Sauer, Stephan, 2010. "When discretion is better: Initial conditions and the timeless perspective," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 107(2), pages 128-130, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:107:y:2010:i:2:p:128-130
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Jakob Palek, 2015. "The Optimal Monetary and Fiscal Policy Mix in a Financially Heterogeneous Monetary Union," MAGKS Papers on Economics 201506, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, Department of Economics (Volkswirtschaftliche Abteilung).
    2. Palek, Jakob, 2015. "The Optimal Monetary and Fiscal Policy Mix in a Financially Heterogeneous Monetary Union," VfS Annual Conference 2015 (Muenster): Economic Development - Theory and Policy 113047, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    3. Petrella, Ivan & Rossi, Raffaele & Santoro, Emiliano, 2014. "Discretion vs. timeless perspective under model-consistent stabilization objectives," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 122(1), pages 84-88.
    4. Griebeler, Marcelo de Carvalho, 2015. "The Naive Central Banker," Revista Brasileira de Economia - RBE, EPGE Brazilian School of Economics and Finance - FGV EPGE (Brazil), vol. 69(3), September.
    5. Jochen Michaelis & Jakob Palek, 2014. "Optimal Monetary Policy in a Currency Union: Implications of a Country-specific Cost Channel," MAGKS Papers on Economics 201444, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, Department of Economics (Volkswirtschaftliche Abteilung).

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