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The Political Economy of Monetary Institutions in Brazil: The Limits of the Inflation-targeting Strategy, 1999-2005

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  • Matias Vernengo

Abstract

This paper suggests that the time-inconsistency approach is inadequate to analyze the political economy of monetary policy in Brazil. The paper develops an alternative theory that emphasizes distributive conflict, and argues that building credibility with a fixed exchange rate and through inflation-targeting was not central for stabilization. A contested-terrain analysis of the Brazilian case suggests that the current monetary regime benefits financial or rentier interests while the manufacturing sector and workers bear the costs of this policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Matias Vernengo, 2008. "The Political Economy of Monetary Institutions in Brazil: The Limits of the Inflation-targeting Strategy, 1999-2005," Review of Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(1), pages 95-110.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:revpoe:v:20:y:2008:i:1:p:95-110
    DOI: 10.1080/09538250701661863
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    Cited by:

    1. Fernando Ferrari Filho, Marcelo Milan, 2018. "Excess Real Interest Rates and the Inflation Targeting Regime in Brazil: Monetary Policy Ineffectiveness and Rentiers¡¯ Interests," Applied Economics and Finance, Redfame publishing, vol. 5(6), pages 84-100, November.
    2. Thereza Balliester Reis, 2018. "Why Are Policy Real Interest Rates So High in Brazil? An Analysis of the Determinants of the Central Bank of Brazil’s Real Interest Rate," International Journal of Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 47(2), pages 178-198, April.
    3. Matias Vernengo, 2011. "The Brazilian Economy after Lula: What to Expect?," CESifo Forum, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich, vol. 12(01), pages 17-22, March.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy
    • E58 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Central Banks and Their Policies
    • F59 - International Economics - - International Relations, National Security, and International Political Economy - - - Other

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