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The distortionary effect of monetary policy: credit expansion vs. lump-sum transfers in the lab

Author

Listed:
  • Romain Baeriswyl

    (Swiss National Bank - Swiss National Bank)

  • Camille Cornand

    (GATE Lyon Saint-Étienne - Groupe d'Analyse et de Théorie Economique Lyon - Saint-Etienne - ENS de Lyon - École normale supérieure de Lyon - Université de Lyon - UL2 - Université Lumière - Lyon 2 - UCBL - Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 - Université de Lyon - UJM - Université Jean Monnet - Saint-Étienne - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract

In an experimental monetary general equilibrium economy, we assess two processes of monetary injection: credit expansion vs. lump-sum monetary transfers. In theory, both processes are neutral and exert no real effect on allocation. In the experiment, however, credit expansion leads to substantial distortions of real allocation and relative prices, and exerts a redistributive effect across subjects. By contrast, an increase in money through lump-sum transfers does not distort real allocation.

Suggested Citation

  • Romain Baeriswyl & Camille Cornand, 2018. "The distortionary effect of monetary policy: credit expansion vs. lump-sum transfers in the lab," Post-Print halshs-01653459, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-01653459
    DOI: 10.1515/bejm-2017-0037
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Jiang, Janet Hua & Puzzello, Daniela & Zhang, Cathy, 2023. "Inflation, Output, and Welfare in the Laboratory," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
    2. Fenig, Guidon & Mileva, Mariya & Petersen, Luba, 2018. "Deflating asset price bubbles with leverage constraints and monetary policy," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 155(C), pages 1-27.
    3. Samuel Demeulemeester, 2024. "The case for 100% money: Ten reasons for separating money issuance from banking," Economic Affairs, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 44(1), pages 57-70, February.
    4. Guidon Fenig & Mariya Mileva & Luba Petersen, 2013. "Leave the bubble alone!: Deflating asset price bubbles in an experimental macroeconomy," Discussion Papers dp16-10, Department of Economics, Simon Fraser University, revised Aug 2016.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    lump-sum monetary transfers; laboratory experiment; credit expansion; money neutrality;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C92 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Group Behavior
    • 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

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