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Unconditionally optimal Ramsey policy

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  • Damjanovic, Tatiana
  • Damjanovic, Vladislav
  • Nolan, Charles

Abstract

We discuss a time invariant policy which delivers the unconditionally optimal outcomes in purely forward-looking models and Ramsey outcomes in purely backward-looking models. This policy is a product of interaction between two institutions with distinct responsibilities. Motivated by Brendon and Ellison (2015), we think of them as arms of government. One institution is responsible for ‘forward guidance’, setting rules which are necessary and sufficient to determine private expectations. The second institution implements optimal policy taking expectations as given. The forward guidance rules are designed to maximise the unconditional expectation of the social objectives.

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  • Damjanovic, Tatiana & Damjanovic, Vladislav & Nolan, Charles, 2021. "Unconditionally optimal Ramsey policy," Journal of Macroeconomics, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jmacro:v:69:y:2021:i:c:s0164070421000495
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jmacro.2021.103346
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Time inconsistency; Forward guidance; Unconditional optimisation; Ramsey optimal policy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E50 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - General
    • E60 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - General
    • E51 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Money Supply; Credit; Money Multipliers

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