The Federal Reserve currently has two legislated goals - price stability and full employment - but a debate continues about making price stability the Fed's primary and overriding goal. Evidence from the recent history of monetary policy contradicts arguments in favor of assigning primacy to...

Using theoretical predictions, econometric results, and the example of the Volcker disinflation, Willem Thorbecke establishes that through disinflation's burden on the durable goods and construction industries, small firms, and low-wage workers and its benefits to bond market investors, it...