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On the perils of stabilizing prices when agents are learning

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Abstract

We show that price level stabilization is not optimal in an economy where agents have incomplete knowledge about the policy implemented and try to learn it. A systematically more accommodative policy than what agents expect generates short term gains without triggering an abrupt loss of confi dence, since agents update expectations sluggishly. In the long run agents learn the policy implemented, and the economy converges to a rational expectations equilibrium in which policy does not stabilize prices, economic volatility is high, and agents su ffer the corresponding welfare losses. However, these losses are outweighed by short term gains from the learning phase.

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  • Mele, Antonio & Molnar, Krisztina & Santoro, Sergio, 2014. "On the perils of stabilizing prices when agents are learning," Discussion Paper Series in Economics 1/2015, Norwegian School of Economics, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:nhheco:2015_001
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    Cited by:

    1. Carrier, Alexandre & Mavromatis, Kostas, 2025. "Optimal normalization policy under behavioral expectations," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
    2. Volha Audzei & Sergey Slobodyan, 2024. "Dynamic Sparse Restricted Perceptions Equilibria," CERGE-EI Working Papers wp792, The Center for Economic Research and Graduate Education - Economics Institute, Prague.
    3. Caines, Colin & Winkler, Fabian, 2021. "Asset price beliefs and optimal monetary policy," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 53-67.
    4. Dobrew, Michael & Gerke, Rafael & Giesen, Sebastian & Röttger, Joost, 2025. "Make-up strategies with incomplete markets and bounded rationality," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    5. Yunjong Eo & Nigel Mcclung, 2025. "Determinacy and E‐Stability with Interest Rate Rules at the Zero Lower Bound," Journal of Money, Credit and Banking, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 57(4), pages 951-979, June.
    6. Svec, Justin & Tortorice, Daniel L., 2025. "Asserting independence: Optimal monetary policy when the central bank and political authority disagree," Journal of Macroeconomics, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    7. Eusepi, Stefano & Giannoni, Marc P. & Preston, Bruce, 2018. "Some implications of learning for price stability," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 1-20.
    8. Grimaud, Alex, 2021. "Precautionary saving and un-anchored expectations," MPRA Paper 110651, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    9. Eo, Yunjong & McClung, Nigel, 2021. "Determinacy and E-stability with interest rate rules at the zero lower bound," Research Discussion Papers 14/2021, Bank of Finland.
    10. Marine Charlotte André & Meixing Dai, 2018. "The limits to robust monetary policy in a small open economy with learning agents," Working Papers of BETA 2018-45, Bureau d'Economie Théorique et Appliquée, UDS, Strasbourg.
    11. Ioana Manuela Mîndrican, 2023. "Monetary policy measures and strategies in the context of the adoption of the euro currency," Journal of Financial Studies, Institute of Financial Studies, vol. 14(8), pages 84-97, May.
    12. Volha Audzei & Sergey Slobodyan, 2025. "Dynamic Sparse Adaptive Learning," Working Papers 2025/9, Czech National Bank, Research and Statistics Department.
    13. André, Marine Charlotte & Espidio, Sebastián Medina, 2024. "Optimal robust monetary policy in a small open emerging-market economy," Latin American Journal of Central Banking (previously Monetaria), Elsevier, vol. 5(4).
    14. Bodenstein, Martin & Hebden, James & Winkler, Fabian, 2022. "Learning and misperception of makeup strategies," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    15. Martin Bodenstein & James Hebden & Fabian Winkler, 2019. "Learning and Misperception: Implications for Price-Level Targeting," Finance and Economics Discussion Series 2019-078, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.).
    16. Adam, Klaus & Pfäuti, Oliver & Reinelt, Timo, 2025. "Subjective housing price expectations, falling natural rates, and the optimal inflation target," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    17. repec:fst:rfsisf:v:8:y:2023:i:14:p:84-97 is not listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • C62 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Existence and Stability Conditions of Equilibrium
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • D84 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Expectations; Speculations
    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy

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