Following Blinder’s (1997) suggestion, we examine the implications for the optimal interest rate rule which follow from relaxing the assumption that the policymaker’s loss function is quadratic. We investigate deviations from quadratics for both symmetric and asymmetric preferences for a...

Demographic change can be a positive contributor to development at any stage of demographic transition. This paper revisits the literature on the determinants and economic impacts of demographic change, and presents a new global typology that classifies countries into four categories based on...

The implications for optimal monetary policy of relaxing the normal assumption of a quadratic loss function are examined. Several alternative specifications are considered, but the results suggest that the convenient assumption of quadratic losses may not be that drastic

This paper examines the causes of deflation in Hong Kong, exploring whether deflation reflects a prolonged process of cyclical adjustment or results from price equalization pressures arising from structural integration with Mainland China. To gauge the relative importance of these factors, the...

This paper examines the macroeconomic impact of migration on income convergence in the EU's New Member States (NMS). The paper focuses on cross-border mobility of labor and examines the implications for policymakers with the help of a general equilibrium model. It finds that cross-border labor...

This paper singles out the key short-term risks and medium-term challenges related to finance and convergence in emerging Europe. With the help of a general equilibrium theoretical framework, the paper identifies pragmatic directions for policymakers. While the "speed limits" to capital inflows...