1. The Goals of Macroeconomic Policy

The Divine Coincidence

Short-term macroeconomic policy has 2 fundamental objectives:
- To stabilize economic activity (GDP) and the level of unemployment.
- To stabilize inflation at a relatively low value.

For economic policy makers, the ideal situation will be:

$Y = Y^{P}, then U = U^{n}, and π = π^{e} = π_{- 1}$

Some economists call this situation the divine coincidence, sarcastically, as something ideal but unattainable ¹

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Autonomous Demand decreases for some reason. It can be caused by a government decision $(T ↑, G ↓)$ , a decrease in NX, or any other change in $\overset{―}{A}$ .

The AD function moves from AD1 to AD2 and the economy moves to point 2. At point 2, we have an economic recession $(Y_{2} < Y^{P})$ , and an inflation rate below the target $(π_{2} < π^{_{T}})$ .

At point 2, as inflation has fallen, the CB lowers the interest rate interest rate $(r_{1} \to r_{2})$ . At this point, since we have a recession, by the supply self-correcting mechanism, inflation will decrease over time. The AS function moves from AS1 to AS2.

The new equilibrium point will be at point 3 . We will have: $Y = Y^{P}, π = π_{3} < π^{_{T}}, r = r_{3}$

Soft vs Aggressive Response By the CB

The Central Bank (CB) decisions in the previous figure have an implicit fact: the CB accepts the new value of inflation as the new equilibrium: $π^{_{T}} = π_{3}$ .

The textbook says that “There is no policy response” in this case, which may confuse more than elucidate. There is a policy response by the CB because it changes interest rates: $r_{1} \to r_{2} \to r_{3}$ . The point is that its response is “soft”, rather than “aggressive”. Understanding the difference between these two reactions is crucial.

So, what happens if the CB does not accept a change in its initial target value for inflation $(π^{_{T}})$ ? It will have to implement an aggressive monetary policy by imposing a radical cut in interest rates, not a gradual one.

That will be the contents of next slide.

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The only difference between the central bank’s aggressive response and its soft one is related to the level of interest rate reduction it imposes in both cases.

Soft response: The central bank imposes a small reduction in the interest rate in order to accommodate the reduction in inflation. The impact on demand is small.

Aggressive response : the central bank does not want the economy to reach point 2. To this end, when there is a reduction in autonomous demand $(\overset{―}{A})$ , it drastically cuts the interest rate, stimulating Consumption, Investment, and Net Exports, which leads to a shift in the AD curve to the initial position.

The new long-run equilibrium is now characterized by: $Y = Y^{P}, π = π^{_{T}} and r = r_{3}$

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There is a negative supply shock, for example, caused by an increase in the price of oil, after which, oil prices remain constant.

This increase causes a shift from LRAS1 to LRAS2. The new equilibrium point is at point 2. This point is obtained because the economy is in an economic boom at 1 , since $(Y_{1}^{P} > Y_{2}^{P})$ , which causes inflation to increase over time. This process is described by the shift from AS1 to AS2.

From point 2, we move to point 3, for the same reason. Note that the central bank has been raising the interest rate in order to keep up with the increase in inflation.

Point 3 will be the new long-run equilibrium point if the central bank accepts a higher value $π^{_{T}}$ : $Y = Y_{2}^{P}, π = π_{3} = π_{3}^{_{T}}, r = r_{3}$

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The central bank does not want the economy to reach point 3 , in the case where the response was soft.

To this end, when inflation increases, the central bank drastically raises the interest rate. This increase can be seen by the movement of MP1 to MP2, which leads to a reduction in Consumption, Investment, and Net Exports, generating a shift of the AD curve: AD1 to AD2.

The new long-run equilibrium will be characterized by: $Y = Y_{2}^{P}, π = π^{_{T}}, r = r_{2}$

The aggressive response by the central bank, in this case, led to the stabilization of both GDP and inflation.

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This temporary increase does not cause any shift in LRAS. It does cause a temporary increase in inflation, displacing AS1 to AS2.

The new equilibrium point is 2 . At this point, the economy is in a recession, since $(Y_{2} < Y^{P})$ , which will force inflation to decrease over time. This process is described by the gradual shifts from AS2 to AS1, until the initial point is reached.

Note that the central bank has been changing the interest rate in order to keep up with the changes in inflation.

Point 3 will be the new long-run equilibrium point if the central bank accepts a lower value for $π^{_{T}}$ : $Y = Y_{2}^{P}, π = π_{3} = π_{3}^{_{T}}, r = r_{3}$

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The central bank makes the mistake of responding aggressively to a temporary supply shock.

In point 2, we already know how this works: see the previous case. Except that now in point 2, the central bank decides to raise the interest rate by a lot. This causes MP1 $\to$ MP2 and AD1 $\to$ AD2. We move on to point 3 .

At point 3, we have a big recession, which will lead to a reduction in inflation, leading to AS2 $\to$ AS1. We are left at point 4 .

At this point, inflation is below the desired level ( $π_{3} < π^{_{T}}$ ), and the central bank has no other remedy than to undo what it did at the beginning: now drastically reduce the interest rate. This shifts AD2 to AD1 and we end the process at point $5 (= 1)$ .

The central bank’s mistake has created a loop in inflation like in the 1970s.

Macroeconomic Policy $:$ The AD/AS/MP Model

1. The Goals of Macroeconomic Policy

The Divine Coincidence

Inflation Rate Target

Why $2 %$ Inflation?

2. Stabilization Policy

Long-Run = Short-Run Equilibrium

3. Aggregate Demand Shocks

Soft Reaction by the Central Bank

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Soft vs Aggressive Response By the CB

Aggressive Reaction by the Central Bank

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4. Permanent Aggregate Supply Shocks

Permanent AS Shock: Soft Response

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Permanent AS Shock: Aggressive Response

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5. Temporary Aggregate Supply Shocks

Temporary AS Shock: Soft Response

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Temporary AS Shock: Aggressive Response

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Inflation Loops in the 1970s: USA

5. Readings

Readings

Macroeconomic Policy: The AD/AS/MP Model

Macroeconomic Policy $:$ The AD/AS/MP Model