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Refocusing the ECB on Output Stabilization and Growth through Inflation Targeting?

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Author Info
Joerg Bibow
Abstract

Challenging the conventional wisdom that structural problems are to blame for the euro areaÕs protracted domestic demand stagnation, this paper sets out to shed some fresh light on the role of the ECB in the ongoing EMU crisis. Contrary to the widely held interpretation of the ECB as an inflation targeterÑand a rather soft one, too -- it is argued that the key characteristic of the ECB is the pronounced asymmetry in its policy approach and mindset. Curiously, this asymmetry has not only given rise to an antigrowth bias, but to upward price pressures and distortions as well. There is a link between stagnation and inflation persistence that owes to the ECBÕs failure to internalize the euro areaÕs fiscal regime. This raises the question as to whether inflation targeting would have led to better results, or could do so in future.

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Paper provided by Levy Economics Institute, The in its series Economics Working Paper Archive with number wp_425.

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Date of creation: Jul 2005
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Handle: RePEc:lev:wrkpap:wp_425

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Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.:
  1. Issing, Otmar, 1997. "Monetary targeting in Germany: The stability of monetary policy and of the monetary system," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 39(1), pages 67-79, June. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  2. Jörg Bibow, 2004. "Reflections on the current fashion for central bank independence," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Oxford University Press, vol. 28(4), pages 549-576, July. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  3. George A. Akerlof & William R. Dickens & George L. Perry, 1996. "The Macroeconomics of Low Inflation," Brookings Papers on Economic Activity, Economic Studies Program, The Brookings Institution, vol. 27(1996-1), pages 1-76. [Downloadable!]
  4. Jšrg Bibow, 2004. "Assessing the ECB's Performance since the Global Slowdown: A Structural Policy Bias Coming Home to Roost?," Economics Working Paper Archive 409, Levy Economics Institute, The. [Downloadable!]
  5. Jorg Bibow, 2004. "Assessing the ECB's Performance since the Global Slowdown A Structural Policy Bias Coming Home to Roost?," Macroeconomics 0407026, EconWPA. [Downloadable!]
  6. Gerlach, Stefan & Svensson, Lars E. O., 2003. "Money and inflation in the euro area: A case for monetary indicators?," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 50(8), pages 1649-1672, November. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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  7. Tobin, James, 1972. "Inflation and Unemployment," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 62(1), pages 1-18, March.
  8. Svensson, Lars E. O., 1997. "Inflation forecast targeting: Implementing and monitoring inflation targets," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 41(6), pages 1111-1146, June. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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  9. Willem Thorbecke, . "A Dual Mandate for the Federal Reserve, The Pursuit of Price Stability and Full Employment," Economics Public Policy Brief Archive 60, Levy Economics Institute, The. [Downloadable!]
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  10. Jorg Bibow, 2002. "The Markets versus the ECB, and the EURO's Plunge," Eastern Economic Journal, Eastern Economic Association, vol. 28(1), pages 45-57, Winter. [Downloadable!]
  11. Bernanke, Ben S. & Mihov, Ilian, 1997. "What does the Bundesbank target?," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 41(6), pages 1025-1053, June. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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  12. Willem Thorbecke, . "Inflation Targeting and the Natural Rate of Unemployment," Economics Policy Note Archive 04-1, Levy Economics Institute, The. [Downloadable!]
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(explanations, Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.)

  1. Jorg Bibow, 2005. "Europe’s Quest for Monetary Stability: Central Banking Gone Astray," Macroeconomics 0508029, EconWPA. [Downloadable!]
  2. Giuseppe Fontana & Alfonso Palacio- Vera, 2005. "Are Long-Run Price Stability and Short-run Output Stabilization All that Monetary Policy Can Aim For?," Macroeconomics 0511024, EconWPA. [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  3. L. Randall Wray & C. Sardoni, 2005. "Monetary Policy Strategies of the European Central Bank and the Federal Reserve Bank of the U.S," Macroeconomics 0511025, EconWPA. [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  4. Joerg Bibow, 2005. "Europe's Quest for Monetary Stability: Central Banking Gone Astray," Economics Working Paper Archive wp_428, Levy Economics Institute, The. [Downloadable!]
  5. Becchetti Leonardo & Castriota Stefano & Giuntella Osea, 2006. "The Effects of Age and Job Protection on the Welfare Costs of Inflation and Unemployment: a Source of ECB anti-inflation bias?," Departmental Working Papers 245, Tor Vergata University, CEIS. [Downloadable!]
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