The authors argue that lumpy, nonconvex transaction costs are the norm for a wide range of economic decisions, which are thus characterized by inertial behavior. Application of this idea to the consumption of durable goods yields an (S,s) decision rule, which, when aggregated, highlights the...

Although cooperation between central banks and treasuries is controversial, this paper contends that in a crisis it is inevitable and desirable. Six reasons for cooperation in a crisis are advanced. Disengagement in the aftermath and restoring central bank independence is tricky, however. The...