Destabilizing effects of a successful stabilization: a forward-looking explanation of the second Hungarian hyperinflation

B-Tier
Journal: Economic Theory
Year: 2000
Volume: 15
Issue: 3
Pages: 599-630

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 1 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

The extreme severity of the second Hungarian hyperinflation is argued to be related to the unusual way in which the inflation was eventually stabilized. The historical features of this episode are represented in a general equilibrium model, which incorporates a transition from one monetary regime to another. During the inflation the government finances a fixed deficit with seigniorage revenue. After the stabilization the government budget is balanced and the central bank engages in a program of subsidized lending to the private sector. Stabilization is achieved by targeting a low inflation rate path through adjustments in the quantity of central bank lending. I show that under this stabilization policy (1) the dynamic equilibrium path of the economy is indeterminate and (2) arbitrarily high pre-stabilization inflation rates are possible.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:spr:joecth:v:15:y:2000:i:3:p:599-630
Journal Field
Theory
Author Count
1
Added to Database
2026-01-28