Monetary Policy
By minimizing the harm caused by recessions and high inflations, monetary policy can promote economic stability and create an environment in which individuals and businesses prosper and thrive. In pursuit of these goals, Mercatus research shows why and how the Federal Reserve should (a) follow a rules-based approach to making policy, (b) increase its transparency and accountability to the public, and (c) better utilize market signals.
Featured
Latest work in Monetary Policy
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Research Papers Research Papers
Getting Monetary Policy Right: What Should the Federal Reserve Have Learned from Its Pandemic Response?
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Monetary Policy: Narrowing Discretion, Improving Outcomes | FinRegRag
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Podcast Appearance Podcast Appearance
Monetary Policy at a Crossroads | The Concord Coalition’s “Facing the Future”
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Macro Musings Macro Musings
Eric Leeper on *A Fiscal Accounting of COVID Inflation*
While many economists cite a range of different factors as the cause of the COVID inflation surge, a large increase in federal pandemic related spending may be the most likely culprit.
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Podcast Appearance Podcast Appearance
Behind the Fed | Double Take
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Macro Musings Macro Musings
Jeffrey Lacker on Governance at the Federal Reserve
After falling behind the curve during the recent inflation episode, the Fed must consider reviewing its governance structure moving forward.
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Questions on National Debt and Interest Rates | FinRegRag
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Macro Musings Macro Musings
Mark Koyama on *How the World Became Rich: The Historical Origins of Economic Growth*
Geography, institutions, and culture are just a few of the key drivers that help explain economic growth throughout history.
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Macro Musings Macro Musings
Gauti Eggertsson on the Post-Pandemic Inflation Surge and its Implications for Monetary Policy
Heading into the next framework review, there are numerous policy changes that the Fed could consider to help avoid inflationary crises in the future.
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Radio Appearance Radio Appearance
Do Both Sides of the Aisle Have It Wrong on Inflation | Lars Larson Show
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Inflation Wasn’t Transitory | City Journal
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Macro Musings Macro Musings
Jonathon Hazell on Phillips Curves, Wage Rigidity, and How to Measure R-Star
Despite some popular commentary, the Phillips curve continues to be an important idea in understanding the inflation rate.
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Radio Appearance Radio Appearance
Inflation and Job Numbers | American Radio Journal
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Macro Musings Macro Musings
Skanda Amarnath and Preston Mui on the Tribal Transitory Debate and the Future of the Fed’s Framework
Entering 2024, economists and policymakers should consider dropping tribalist attitudes when discussing the future path of inflation.
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Radio Appearance Radio Appearance
What’s the Difference Between the CPI and the PPI? | Marketplace Radio
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Podcast Appearance Podcast Appearance
CPI Inflation and the Broader Economy | American Ag Network
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Macro Musings Macro Musings
Claudio Borio on the Future of Central Bank Operating Systems
Despite overestimated concerns surrounding balance sheet size and reserve demand instability, central banks should consider the possibility of returning to a scarce reserve operating system.
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
Governance and Diversity at the Federal Reserve
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Macro Musings Macro Musings
Colby Smith, Steven Kelly, and Gerard DiPippo on the Highlights of 2023 and Looking Ahead to the Future
An esteemed panel of guests join Macro Musings to reflect on the biggest surprises, themes, and stories of 2023 with an eye toward what 2024 may have in store.
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Macro Musings Macro Musings
Tyler Cowen on the Greatest Economist of All Time and Other Macro Awards
From Adam Smith to Milton Friedman, Tyler Cowen breaks down his evidence and reasoning for who should be considered the greatest economist of all time.
Latest work in Monetary Policy
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Research Papers Research Papers
Getting Monetary Policy Right: What Should the Federal Reserve Have Learned from Its Pandemic Response?
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Monetary Policy: Narrowing Discretion, Improving Outcomes | FinRegRag
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Podcast Appearance Podcast Appearance
Monetary Policy at a Crossroads | The Concord Coalition’s “Facing the Future”
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Macro Musings Macro Musings
Eric Leeper on *A Fiscal Accounting of COVID Inflation*
While many economists cite a range of different factors as the cause of the COVID inflation surge, a large increase in federal pandemic related spending may be the most likely culprit.
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Podcast Appearance Podcast Appearance
Behind the Fed | Double Take
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Macro Musings Macro Musings
Jeffrey Lacker on Governance at the Federal Reserve
After falling behind the curve during the recent inflation episode, the Fed must consider reviewing its governance structure moving forward.
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Questions on National Debt and Interest Rates | FinRegRag
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Macro Musings Macro Musings
Mark Koyama on *How the World Became Rich: The Historical Origins of Economic Growth*
Geography, institutions, and culture are just a few of the key drivers that help explain economic growth throughout history.
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Macro Musings Macro Musings
Gauti Eggertsson on the Post-Pandemic Inflation Surge and its Implications for Monetary Policy
Heading into the next framework review, there are numerous policy changes that the Fed could consider to help avoid inflationary crises in the future.
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Radio Appearance Radio Appearance
Do Both Sides of the Aisle Have It Wrong on Inflation | Lars Larson Show
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Inflation Wasn’t Transitory | City Journal
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Macro Musings Macro Musings
Jonathon Hazell on Phillips Curves, Wage Rigidity, and How to Measure R-Star
Despite some popular commentary, the Phillips curve continues to be an important idea in understanding the inflation rate.
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Radio Appearance Radio Appearance
Inflation and Job Numbers | American Radio Journal
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Macro Musings Macro Musings
Skanda Amarnath and Preston Mui on the Tribal Transitory Debate and the Future of the Fed’s Framework
Entering 2024, economists and policymakers should consider dropping tribalist attitudes when discussing the future path of inflation.
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Radio Appearance Radio Appearance
What’s the Difference Between the CPI and the PPI? | Marketplace Radio
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Podcast Appearance Podcast Appearance
CPI Inflation and the Broader Economy | American Ag Network
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Macro Musings Macro Musings
Claudio Borio on the Future of Central Bank Operating Systems
Despite overestimated concerns surrounding balance sheet size and reserve demand instability, central banks should consider the possibility of returning to a scarce reserve operating system.
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
Governance and Diversity at the Federal Reserve
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Macro Musings Macro Musings
Colby Smith, Steven Kelly, and Gerard DiPippo on the Highlights of 2023 and Looking Ahead to the Future
An esteemed panel of guests join Macro Musings to reflect on the biggest surprises, themes, and stories of 2023 with an eye toward what 2024 may have in store.
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Macro Musings Macro Musings
Tyler Cowen on the Greatest Economist of All Time and Other Macro Awards
From Adam Smith to Milton Friedman, Tyler Cowen breaks down his evidence and reasoning for who should be considered the greatest economist of all time.
Latest work in Monetary Policy
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Macro Musings Macro Musings
Jeffrey Lacker on Governance at the Federal Reserve
After falling behind the curve during the recent inflation episode, the Fed must consider reviewing its governance structure moving forward.
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Macro Musings Macro Musings
Mark Koyama on *How the World Became Rich: The Historical Origins of Economic Growth*
Geography, institutions, and culture are just a few of the key drivers that help explain economic growth throughout history.
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Macro Musings Macro Musings
Gauti Eggertsson on the Post-Pandemic Inflation Surge and its Implications for Monetary Policy
Heading into the next framework review, there are numerous policy changes that the Fed could consider to help avoid inflationary crises in the future.
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Radio Appearance Radio Appearance
Do Both Sides of the Aisle Have It Wrong on Inflation | Lars Larson Show
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Macro Musings Macro Musings
Jonathon Hazell on Phillips Curves, Wage Rigidity, and How to Measure R-Star
Despite some popular commentary, the Phillips curve continues to be an important idea in understanding the inflation rate.
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Radio Appearance Radio Appearance
Inflation and Job Numbers | American Radio Journal
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Macro Musings Macro Musings
Skanda Amarnath and Preston Mui on the Tribal Transitory Debate and the Future of the Fed’s Framework
Entering 2024, economists and policymakers should consider dropping tribalist attitudes when discussing the future path of inflation.
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Radio Appearance Radio Appearance
What’s the Difference Between the CPI and the PPI? | Marketplace Radio
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Podcast Appearance Podcast Appearance
CPI Inflation and the Broader Economy | American Ag Network
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Macro Musings Macro Musings
Claudio Borio on the Future of Central Bank Operating Systems
Despite overestimated concerns surrounding balance sheet size and reserve demand instability, central banks should consider the possibility of returning to a scarce reserve operating system.
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Macro Musings Macro Musings
Colby Smith, Steven Kelly, and Gerard DiPippo on the Highlights of 2023 and Looking Ahead to the Future
An esteemed panel of guests join Macro Musings to reflect on the biggest surprises, themes, and stories of 2023 with an eye toward what 2024 may have in store.
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Macro Musings Macro Musings
Tyler Cowen on the Greatest Economist of All Time and Other Macro Awards
From Adam Smith to Milton Friedman, Tyler Cowen breaks down his evidence and reasoning for who should be considered the greatest economist of all time.
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Macro Musings Macro Musings
Nicolas Cachanosky on Dollarization in Argentina
As hyperinflation and other macroeconomic concerns continue plague Argentina, committing to a policy of dollarization may offer a much needed remedy.
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | TV Appearance TV Appearance
The Fed’s Decision on Interest Rates | BBC
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Macro Musings Macro Musings
Charlie Evans on the Past, Present, and Future of U.S. Monetary Policy
Heading into the next framework review, policy messaging will be a crucial consideration for the Fed as it considers possible changes to the current FAIT regime.
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Macro Musings Macro Musings
Matteo Maggiori and Jesse Schreger on Geoeconomics and its Policy Implications
As geopolitical power struggles continue to unfold across the globe, the burgeoning field of geoeconomics is becoming increasingly crucial as a tool to help understand how nations leverage their economic strength in the political arena.
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Macro Musings Macro Musings
Matthew Raskin on Treasury Market Stability, Interest Rates, and the Fed’s Balance Sheet
Increased central clearing and use of the Standing Repo Facility are just a few ways to improve the liquidity and stability of the Treasury market.
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Macro Musings Macro Musings
David Papell on the History, Motivations, and Current Applications of Monetary Policy Rules
Embracing inertial policy rules could have spared the Fed from the errors it committed in the aftermath of the COVID-19 recession.
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Macro Musings Macro Musings
Rachel Siegel on the Fed, Commercial Real Estate, and the Economics of the 2024 Election
As inflation and other economic issues top the list of concerns heading into next year’s election, the commercial real estate market remains a major threat to financial and broader macro stability.
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Mercatus Original Podcasts Mercatus Original Podcasts
- | Macro Musings Macro Musings
Will Bateman on the History and Evolving Nature of the Fiscal Fed
Contrary to conventional wisdom, the Fed has a long and extensive fiscal history of building, smoothing, and rescuing US Treasury debt markets.