In: Economics
Suppose that the inflation rate in the United States is 1.5 percent while GDP is 2 percent below the potential level. According to the Taylor Rule the Federal Reserve authorities should adjust the stock of base money to drive the target inflation rate to 2 percent. If the current federal funds rate is 2.75 percent, does this mean that the U.S. monetary policy is too tight? Explain (assume the real natural rate of interest is 2 percent and α = β = 0.5). Please use the equation: target rate = neutral rate + 0.5(GDPe - GDPt) + 0.5(le - lt).
The Taylor Rule can be expressed mathematically by the following formula
Target Rate = Neutral Rate + 0.5 * (GDPe – GDPt) + 0.5 * (Ie – It)
2.75 + (0.5 * (-2)) + (0.5 * (1.5 - 2))
= 2.75 + (-1) + (0.5 * (-0.5))
= 2.75 -1 - (0.25)
= 1.5
The target rate should be 1.5% which indicates that the current Federal Funds rate of 2.75% is too tight and that is impeding the economic growth. The Federal Fund rate need to be 1.5% according to Taylor Rule to attain the desired economic growth rate.