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Inflation targets and the zero lower bound in a behavioural macroeconomic model

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  • De Grauwe, Paul
  • Ji, Yuemei

Abstract

We analyse the relationship between the level of the inflation target and the zero lower bound imposed on the nominal interest rate in the framework of a behavioural New-Keynesian macroeconomic model in which agents, experiencing cognitive limitations, use adaptive learning forecasting rules. The model produces endogenous waves of optimism and pessimism (animal spirits) that lead to non-normal distributions of the output gap. We find that when the inflation target is too close to zero, the economy can get gripped by ‘chronic pessimism’ that leads to a dominance of negative output gaps and recessions, and in turn feeds back on expectations producing long waves of pessimism. Low inflation targets create the risk of persistence of recessions and low growth. In conclusion, our framework suggests that the 2% inflation target, now pursued by many central banks, is too low.

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  • De Grauwe, Paul & Ji, Yuemei, 2019. "Inflation targets and the zero lower bound in a behavioural macroeconomic model," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 80271, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
  • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:80271
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    Cited by:

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    2. Audzei, Volha & Slobodyan, Sergey, 2022. "Sparse restricted perceptions equilibrium," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    3. J. Daniel Aromí & Martín Llada, 2024. "Are professional forecasters inattentive to public discussions about inflation? The case of Argentina," Journal of Forecasting, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 43(7), pages 2572-2587, November.
    4. Proaño, Christian R. & Lojak, Benjamin, 2021. "Monetary Policy with a State-Dependent Inflation Target in a Behavioral Two-Country Monetary Union Model," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    5. Hommes, Cars & Lustenhouwer, Joep, 2019. "Inflation targeting and liquidity traps under endogenous credibility," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 48-62.
    6. Paul De Grauwe, 2022. "Towards a New Euro Crisis?," Intereconomics: Review of European Economic Policy, Springer;ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics;Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), vol. 57(5), pages 273-277, September.
    7. Proaño, Christian R. & Lojak, Benjamin, 2020. "Animal spirits, risk premia and monetary policy at the zero lower bound," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 171(C), pages 221-233.
    8. J. Daniel Aromí & Martín Llada, 2020. "Forecasting inflation with twitter," Asociación Argentina de Economía Política: Working Papers 4308, Asociación Argentina de Economía Política.
    9. Gobbi, Lucio & Mazzocchi, Ronny & Tamborini, Roberto, 2019. "Monetary policy, de-anchoring of inflation expectations, and the “new normal”," Journal of Macroeconomics, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 1-1.
    10. Lustenhouwer, Joep, 2020. "Fiscal Stimulus In Expectations-Driven Liquidity Traps," Working Papers 0683, University of Heidelberg, Department of Economics.
    11. De Grauwe, Paul & Ji, Yuemei, 2020. "Should central banks be forward-looking?," CEPR Discussion Papers 14540, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    12. Xu, Xin & Xu, Xiaoguang, 2023. "Monetary policy transmission modeling and policy responses," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    13. Lustenhouwer, Joep, 2020. "Fiscal stimulus in expectations-driven liquidity traps," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 177(C), pages 661-687.
    14. Hommes, Cars & Lustenhouwer, Joep, 2019. "Managing unanchored, heterogeneous expectations and liquidity traps," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 1-16.
    15. Paul De Grauwe & Yuemei Ji, 2021. "On the Use of Current or Forward-Looking Data in Monetary Policy: A Behavioural Macroeconomic Approach," CESifo Working Paper Series 8853, CESifo.
    16. Della Posta, Pompeo & Tamborini, Roberto, 2023. "Does an inflation target zone help or hinder price stability?," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 129(C).
    17. J. Daniel Aromí & Martín Llada, 2024. "Are professional forecasters inattentive to public discussions? The case of inflation in Argentina," Working Papers 300, Red Nacional de Investigadores en Economía (RedNIE).
    18. Apel, Mikael & Claussen, Carl Andreas, 2017. "Inflation targets and intervals – an overview of the issues," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, issue 1, pages 83-103.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    animal spirits; monetary policy; inflation target; behavioraleconomics; zero lower bound;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E31 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Price Level; Inflation; Deflation
    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles

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