A key argument in Caplin and Leahy (1997) states that the correlation between monetary shocks and output is falling in the variance of the money supply. We demonstrate that this conclusion depends on solving for the correlation in the nonstationary state of the model. In the stationary state,...

We study the impact of two-sided nominal shocks in a simple dynamic, general equilibrium (S,s)-pricing macroeconomic model comprised of heterogeneous sectors. The simple model we develop has a number of appealing empirical implications; it captures why some sectors of the economy have...

What is the seigniorage-maximizing level of inflation? Three models' formulae for the seigniorage-maximizing inflation rate (SMIR) are compared. A sticky-price model prescribes a somewhat lower SMIR to Cagan's formula and a variant of a flex-price model due to Kimbrough (2006). The models differ...

In this paper we review and extend some of the key lessons that seem to be emerging from the Ramsey-inspired theory of dynamic optimal monetary and fiscal policies. We construct measures of the key distortions in our economy; we label these ‘dynamic wedges’. Inflation, actual or...

What is the seigniorage-maximizing level of inflation? Four models formulae for the seigniorage maximizing inflation rate (SMIR) are compared. Two sticky-price models arrive at very different quantitative recommendations although both predict somewhat lower SMIRs than Cagan’s formula and a...

Less is known about social welfare objectives when it is costly to change prices, as in Rotemberg (1982), compared with Calvo-type models. We derive a quadratic approximate welfare function around a distorted steady state for the costly price adjustment model. We highlight the similarities and...

Social welfare objectives are investigated when changing prices is costly (Rotemberg, 1982). A quadratic welfare function is derived, with a distorted steady state, implying inflation and output stabilization goals. Economic distortions influence inflation aversion in a way that differs from...

Sticky-price models often suggest that relative price distortion is a major cost of inflation. We provide an intuition for this: Even at low rates, inflation strongly affects price dispersion which in turn has an impact on the economy qualitatively similar to, and of the order of magnitude of, a...