A Simple Empirical Investigation into the Optimal Size of the NGDP Target and Level Targeting

20 Pages Posted: 31 Oct 2014 Last revised: 22 Mar 2017

See all articles by Ryan Murphy

Ryan Murphy

Southern Methodist University (SMU)

Jiawen Chen

Suffolk University - Department of Economics

Date Written: October 29, 2014

Abstract

This paper constructs an index to study two questions within a growing school of macroeconomic thought, Market Monetarism. This school argues that the central bank has full control over all nominal variables in the economy and is solely responsible for aggregate demand management. To manage aggregate demand, Market Monetarism argues the central bank should target Nominal GDP. This paper constructs an index that hopes to answer two questions. First, it attempts to determine size of the optimal NGDP target. Second, it attempts to determine the extent to which central banks should engage in level targeting, that is, whether it should correct past errors in hitting its target. We find evidence consistent with a five percent level target but are unable to find evidence regarding level targeting.

Keywords: Market Monetarism, NGDP Targeting, Level Targeting, Misery Index

JEL Classification: E3, E5

Suggested Citation

Murphy, Ryan and Chen, Jiawen, A Simple Empirical Investigation into the Optimal Size of the NGDP Target and Level Targeting (October 29, 2014). Journal of Economics and Finance, Vol. 46, No. 2, 2017, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2516554 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2516554

Ryan Murphy (Contact Author)

Southern Methodist University (SMU) ( email )

6212 Bishop Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75275
United States

Jiawen Chen

Suffolk University - Department of Economics ( email )

8 Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108
United States

Do you have a job opening that you would like to promote on SSRN?

Paper statistics

Downloads
109
Abstract Views
1,065
Rank
395,080
PlumX Metrics