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Hyperbolic Discounting and Positive Optimal Inflation

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  • Graham, Liam

    (University College London)

  • Snower, Dennis J.

    (Hertie School of Governance)

Abstract

The Friedman rule states that steady-state welfare is maximized when there is deflation at the real rate of interest. Recent work by Khan et al (2003) uses a richer model but still finds deflation optimal. In an otherwise standard new Keynesian model we show that, if households have hyperbolic discounting, small positive rates of inflation can be optimal. In our baseline calibration, the optimal rate of inflation is 2.1% and remains positive across a wide range of calibrations.

Suggested Citation

  • Graham, Liam & Snower, Dennis J., 2011. "Hyperbolic Discounting and Positive Optimal Inflation," IZA Discussion Papers 5694, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp5694
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Koichi Futagami & Daiki Maeda, 2022. "Naive Agents with Non-unitary Discounting Rate in a Monetary Economy," Discussion Papers in Economics and Business 21-28, Osaka University, Graduate School of Economics.
    2. Maeda, Daiki, 2018. "Quasi-geometric discounting in cash-in-advance economy," Journal of Mathematical Economics, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 51-56.
    3. Acocella, Nicola & Di Bartolomeo, Giovanni & Tirelli, Patrizio, 2015. "U.S. Trend Inflation Reinterpreted: The Role Of Fiscal Policies And Time-Varying Nominal Rigidities," Macroeconomic Dynamics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 19(6), pages 1294-1308, September.
    4. Futagami, Koichi & Maeda, Daiki, 2023. "Naïve agents with non-unitary discounting rate in a monetary economy," Journal of Macroeconomics, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    5. Ahrens, Steffen & Snower, Dennis J., 2014. "Envy, guilt, and the Phillips curve," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 69-84.
    6. Guido Ascari & Argia M. Sbordone, 2014. "The Macroeconomics of Trend Inflation," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 52(3), pages 679-739, September.
    7. Takeo Hori & Koichi Futagami & Shoko Morimoto, 2021. "Time-inconsistent discounting and the Friedman rule: roles of non-unitary discounting," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 73(3), pages 1200-1217.
    8. Kang, Minwook & Kim, Eungsik, 2023. "A government policy with time-inconsistent consumers," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 214(C), pages 44-67.
    9. Miura, Shogo, 2023. "Optimal inflation rate and fair wage," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 158-167.
    10. Richard Dennis & Oleg Kirsanov, 2020. "Monetary Policy when Preferences are Quasi-Hyperbolic," Working Papers 2020_05, Business School - Economics, University of Glasgow.
    11. Daiki Maeda, 2018. "Monetary and Fiscal Policy in a Cash-in-advance Economy with Quasi-geometric Discounting," Discussion Papers in Economics and Business 18-31, Osaka University, Graduate School of Economics.
    12. Yunmin Chen & Jang-Ting Guo, 2024. "Optimal Dynamic Income Taxation under Quasi-Hyperbolic Discounting and Idiosyncratic Productivity Shocks," Working Papers 202403, University of California at Riverside, Department of Economics.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Phillips curve; unemployment; inflation targeting; optimal monetary policy; nominal inertia; monetary policy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E20 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - General (includes Measurement and Data)
    • E40 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - General
    • E50 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - General

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