The New Neoclassical Synthesis and the Role of Monetary Policy

64 Pages Posted: 21 Nov 2012

See all articles by Marvin Goodfriend

Marvin Goodfriend

Carnegie Mellon University - David A. Tepper School of Business; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Robert G. King

Boston University - Department of Economics; Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond - Research Department; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

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Date Written: June 1, 1997

Abstract

Macroeconomics is moving toward a New Neoclassical Synthesis, which like the synthesis of the 1960s melds Classical with Keynesian ideas. This paper describes the key features of the new synthesis and its implications for the role of monetary policy. We find that the New Neoclassical Synthesis rationalizes an activist monetary policy which is a simple system of inflation targets. Under this "neutral" monetary policy, real quantities evolve as suggested in the literature on real business cycles. Going beyond broad principles, we use the new synthesis to address several operational aspects of inflation targeting. These include its practicality, the response to oil shocks, the choice of price index, the design of a mandate, and the tactics of interest rate policy.

Suggested Citation

Goodfriend, Marvin and King, Robert G., The New Neoclassical Synthesis and the Role of Monetary Policy (June 1, 1997). FRB Richmond Working Paper No. 98-5, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2123683 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2123683

Marvin Goodfriend (Contact Author)

Carnegie Mellon University - David A. Tepper School of Business ( email )

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National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

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Robert G. King

Boston University - Department of Economics ( email )

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Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond - Research Department

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National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

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United States

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