Date of Award

2013

Document Type

Honors Thesis (Colby Access Only)

Department

Colby College. Economics Dept.

Advisor(s)

Guillermo Vuletin

Second Advisor

David Findlay

Abstract

Macroeconomic theory dictates contemporaneous growth between output and inflation, yet recent evidence suggests a divergence between the two. In countries with explicit inflation targeting regimes, such a change requires unorthodox monetary policy to simultaneously address stagnating growth while adhering to an inflation target to uphold the central bank’s credibility. This paper examines if, in fact, a decoupling of inflation and output exists, and the responsiveness of central banks with inflation targets to each using a regression of the Taylor Rule. The results present a case for a heightened response to output concerns after 2008, as well as a lessened response to inflation from central banks with inflation targets in OECD countries. These findings imply a more flexible interpretation of inflation targets in the wake of a weakened relationship between output growth and inflation, with wide-ranging implications for future monetary policy.

Comments

Full-text download restricted to Colby College campus only.

Keywords

inflation targeting, financial crisis, output, inflation

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