Independent Central Banks and the Interplay between Monetary and Fiscal Policy

24 Pages Posted: 26 Nov 2017

See all articles by Athanasios Orphanides

Athanasios Orphanides

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Sloan School of Management; Asia School of Business

Date Written: November 20, 2017

Abstract

Monetary policy has fiscal implications that are especially pronounced at the zero lower bound. Independent central banks in advanced economies have considerable leeway to ease fiscal pressures faced by governments without compromising price stability. They also have the power to create unnecessary fiscal problems. A fiscal squeeze can serve as an incentive against a “misbehaving” government that appears reluctant to adopt the structural reforms that, in the central bank’s view, may be in the long-term interest of a country. Validating default fears and high risk premia on government debt can be a potent tool to discourage what the central bank perceives as “moral hazard.” At times, independent central banks may be tempted to step outside their mandate and use their considerable discretionary authority to achieve what they perceive as better economic outcomes. How should this authority be used? Are the limits of democratic legitimacy respected? Comparing the recent policy record of the Bank of Japan and the ECB suggests that independent central banks have not always managed to balance the inevitable tensions satisfactorily.

Keywords: Central bank independence, accountability, legitimacy, discretion, moral hazard, Bank of Japan, ECB, Italy, Japan, Germany

JEL Classification: E52, E58, E61, G12, H63

Suggested Citation

Orphanides, Athanasios, Independent Central Banks and the Interplay between Monetary and Fiscal Policy (November 20, 2017). MIT Sloan Research Paper No. 5257-17, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3076183 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3076183

Athanasios Orphanides (Contact Author)

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Sloan School of Management ( email )

100 Main Street
E62-416
Cambridge, MA 02142
United States

HOME PAGE: http://mitsloan.mit.edu/faculty/detail.php?in_spseqno=54058

Asia School of Business ( email )

Jalan Kuching, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan K
Kuala Lumpur, MA
Malaysia

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