Equilibrium Unemployment and Optimal Monetary Policy
Author | : |
Publisher | : |
Total Pages | : |
Release | : 2006 |
Genre | : Keynesian economics |
ISBN | : 9780753020494 |
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I introduce unemployment into the New Keynesian model by assuming search and matching frictions in the labor market, and analyze the implications for optimal monetary policy. In this framework, firms can adjust both their number of workers and hours per worker. Social efficiency requires eliminating inflation, closing the output gap (equivalently, setting hours at their efficient level), as well as preventing deviations of employment from its efficient path. I show that, provided the economy's steady state is efficient, if wages follow the Nash bargaining rule the central bank can achieve the efficient allocation. If wages are rigid, then the central bank faces a trade-off among its stabilization objectives. Following e.g. a negative productivity shock, the central bank must temporarily concede an increase in inflation, a drop in the output gap and a fall in employment below its efficient path.