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Inflation-stabilizing monetary and fiscal policy rules at and away from the lower bound

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  • Arden, Lucas
  • Hauptmeier, Sebastian
  • Kamps, Christophe

Abstract

We examine how fiscal policy can support monetary policy when nominal interest rates face an occasionally binding lower bound constraint. Within the conventional framework of active monetary policy and passive fiscal policy, the optimized fiscal rule features a strong response to inflation deviations from the central bank’s target. The inflation-stabilizing fiscal rule significantly reduces the deflationary bias and welfare costs associated with the lower bound constraint while maintaining debt sustainability. Counterfactual analysis for the U.S. shows that implementing the optimized fiscal rule during the pre-pandemic low-inflation period would have provided systematic support to monetary policy, lifting inflation closer to target when rates were at the lower bound and enabling an earlier rate lift-off.

Suggested Citation

  • Arden, Lucas & Hauptmeier, Sebastian & Kamps, Christophe, 2025. "Inflation-stabilizing monetary and fiscal policy rules at and away from the lower bound," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:moneco:v:156:y:2025:i:c:s030439322500128x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jmoneco.2025.103857
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    1. Tomomi Miyazaki & Haruo Kondoh & Huanhuan Guo & Naoto Tanemoto, 2025. "Effects of Fiscal Policy on Employment under the Zero Lower Bound in Japan: An Empirical Investigation with Gender and Regional Heterogeneity," Discussion Papers 2524, Graduate School of Economics, Kobe University.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • E31 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Price Level; Inflation; Deflation
    • 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; Treasury Policy

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