We lay a ground for a simple comparison of positive and possible side (adverse) effects of zero interest rate policy (ZLB policy) on welfare. Using a standard New Keynesian dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model, we show that if one assumes that the ZLB policy has no side effects, then...

In 2009, for the first time since the end of World War II, the world economy shrank. This resulted from the economic downturn in highly developed countries and surprised most economists. According to the IMF forecast published in spring 2008, GDP growth in these countries was expected to...