We present a micro-founded search-theoretical model of money in which agents are subject to idiosyncratic liquidity shocks as well as aggregate productivity and monetary shocks. Monetary policy has redistributive effects and persistent effects on output and prices: aggregate shocks will...

We study economies where improving the quality of institutions -- modelled as improving contract enforcement -- requires resources, but enables trade that raises output by reducing the dispersion of marginal products of capital. We find that in this type of environment it is optimal to combine...

We study the nature of monetary policy in a model where uncertainty can lead to a discrepancy between economic agents' beliefs and true fundamentals. Monetary policy transmits information about fundamentals. The public nature of this information can help agents to coordinate their decisions....