The Fed Thinks It Can Use the “Natural” Interest Rate to Fine-Tune the Economy

It is widely accepted that by means of suitable monetary policies the US central bank can navigate the economy towards a growth path of economic stability and prosperity. The key ingredient in achieving this is price stability.

Some experts are of the view that what prevents the attainment of price stability are the fluctuations of the federal funds rate around the neutral rate of interest also known as the “natural rate.”

Chapter 10 Monetary Theory and Policy

Selected Writings of Ludwig von Mises1

“The Main Issues in Present-Day Monetary Controversies”

Introductory Remarks

Iceland Today, the US Tomorrow?

During the 2008 economic crisis, Iceland’s government froze offshore accounts held by foreign investors in that country’s currency, the krona. Recently, the government of Iceland announced it would unfreeze the accounts if the account holders paid a voluntary “departure tax,” which could be as high as 58 percent. Investors who choose not to pay the departure tax would have their investment “segregated” into special funds that only invest in CDs issued by Iceland’s central bank. These CDs are expected to only provide a rate of return of at most 0.5 percent a year.

Chapter 9 The Nature of Money

The Theory of Money and Credit1

1. The General Economic Conditions for the Use of Money

Where the free exchange of goods and services is unknown, money is not wanted.