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The role of money in two alternative models: When is the Friedman rule optimal, and why?

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  • Bhattacharya, Joydeep
  • Haslag, Joseph H.
  • Russell, Steven

Abstract

In models of money with an infinitely-lived representative agent (ILRA models), the optimal monetary policy is almost always the Friedman rule. Overlapping generations (OG) models are different: in this paper, we study how they are different, and why. We investigate the welfare properties of monetary policy in a simple OG model under two different types of money demand specifications and under two alternative assumptions about the generational timing of taxes for money retirement. We find that the Friedman rule is generally not the policy that maximizes steady-state utility. We conclude that the key difference between ILRA and OG monetary models is that in the latter, the standard method for constructing a monetary regime causes transactions involving money to become intergenerational transfers. Overlapping generations are different in this regard; we study how they are different and why.

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  • Bhattacharya, Joydeep & Haslag, Joseph H. & Russell, Steven, 2004. "The role of money in two alternative models: When is the Friedman rule optimal, and why?," ISU General Staff Papers 200404010800001196, Iowa State University, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:isu:genstf:200404010800001196
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    JEL classification:

    • E31 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Price Level; Inflation; Deflation
    • E42 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Monetary Sytsems; Standards; Regimes; Government and the Monetary System
    • E63 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Comparative or Joint Analysis of Fiscal and Monetary Policy; Stabilization; Treasury Policy

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