Monetary Policy Transmission Mechanisms within the European Monetary Union

The interest in transmission mechanisms has revived since the EMU was established. Within such a heterogeneous framework, in fact, it is fundamental to appraise how the one size fits all monetary policy affects every single member. This paper presents an analysis in this direction through the estimation of a VAR model using nation-wide time series. Furthermore, given that data coverage is now becoming wide enough, it provides a verification of the impulse-response functions structural stability. This paper provides evidence of a structural break for Austria and Germany and of asymmetric effects within the EMU, which are not so big to make the one size fits all monetary policy a challenging task, however.

Specific factors meet intermediate inputs: implications for strategic complementarities and persistence.

A central challenge to monetary business-cycle theory is to find a solution to the problem of persistence and delay in the real effects of monetary shocks. Previous research has identified separately specific factors and intermediate inputs as two promising mechanisms for generating the persistence and delay in a staggered price-setting framework. Models based on either of these two mechanisms have also been used in the design of optimal monetary policy. ; By examining a staggered price model that features both specific factors and intermediate inputs, the author finds an offsetting interaction between the two individually promising mechanisms, which leads to a cancellation of much of the impact of each in propagating monetary shocks. This finding posits a challenge to the search for a robust monetary transmission mechanism and design of optimal monetary policy.Business cycles

The Transmission Mechanism and the Role of Asset Prices in Monetary Policy

This paper surveys the transmission mechanisms of monetary policy beyond the standard interest rate channel by focusing on how monetary policy affects the economy through other asset prices. It outlines how the monetary transmission mechanisms operating through stock prices, real estate prices, and exchange rates affect which affect investment and consumption decisions of both firms and households. Given the role that asset prices play on the transmission mechanism, central banks have been often tempted to use them as targets of monetary policy. This paper shows that despite the significance of asset prices in the conduct of monetary policy, targeting asset prices by central banks is likely to lead to worse economic outcomes and might even erode the support for their independence.

Monetary policy transmission mechanisms and currency unions A vector error correction approach to a Trans-Tasman currency union

Differences in transmission mechanisms can generate asymmetric behaviour among currency union partners when they experience shocks. This has the potential to widen existing cyclical variation between members of a currency union. Our analysis suggests that the transmission mechanisms of GDP and the CPI of a monetary shock appear to be similar in Australia and New Zealand. However, there are differences in terms of the size of the responses of some variables to identical monetary policy shocks. In a currency union with a different exchange rate pattern and with different monetary policy shocks, New Zealand may experience some new challenges.Impulse responses; vector error correction; monetary transmission mechanism

"An Inquiry into the Nature of Money: An Alternative to the Functional Approach"

The paper argues that the functional approach of money does not provide a good method to study monetary history and monetary mechanisms. An alternative approach is developed and illustrated by analyzing the role of tobacco and cowry shells in past monetary systems. It is shown that any monetary system has specific properties that most students of money do not take into account when theorizing about money or analyzing its history. This leads them to miss some important points, and to see monetary systems where none exist. Hence, one can doubt some of the past research on the subject, at least until further investigation is conducted that is based, not on what we think "money" is, but on what its essential properties are. By comprehending what the main characteristics of a monetary system are, one is able to improve regulation of the system and get some insights into the financial mechanisms of sovereign governments.

The eurozone's critical design flaws

A European Monetary Fund and governance mechanisms with bite would address the problems underlying the current crisis

A monetary policy rule: The augmented Monetary Conditions Index for Philippines using UECM and bounds tests

This paper constructs the augmented monetary conditions index (AMCI) over 1982:1-2004:4 using UECM and bounds test approach for the Philippines data. Results reveal evidence of cointegration between the real GDP and its determinants, namely short-term interest rate, exchange rate and claims on private sectors that take into account three key transmission mechanisms channels in the conduct of monetary policy, namely the interest rate, exchange rate and credit channels. While asset price channel is found to be insignificant. The monetary conditions during the study periods is reflected in the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’s reaction to the prevailing economic situation, imply that the AMCI tracks the inverse movements of the real GDP growth reasonably well after 1990s. Possible light of policy implications have put forward.AMCI, monetary policy, cointegration, bounds test, UECM, transmission mechanisms

On the Effect of Monetary Stabilisation Policy on Long-run Growth (Revised September 2005)

This paper presents a stochastic monetary growth model with nominal rigidities and active monetary policy in which technological change contains both deliberate (internal) and serendipitous (external) learning mechanisms. The model is used to describe how the implications of monetary stabilization policy for the long-run economic performance could change due to the ambiguity on the relationship between secular growth and cyclical volatility.

Monetary Stabilisation Policy and Long-run Growth

This paper presents a stochastic monetary growth model with nominal rigidities and active monetary policy in which technological change contains both deliberate (internal) and serendipitous (external) learning mechanisms. The model is used to describe how the implications of monetary stabilization policy for the long-run economic performance could change due to the ambiguity on the relationship between secular growth and cyclical volatilitygrowth, cyclies, money, stabilisation policy