Inequality-constrained monetary policy in a financialized economy

B-Tier
Journal: Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization
Year: 2023
Volume: 216
Issue: C
Pages: 366-385

Score contribution per author:

0.670 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

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

Abstract

We study how income inequality affects monetary policy through the inequality-household debt channel. We design a minimal macro Agent-Based model that replicates several stylized facts, including two novel ones: falling aggregate saving rate and decreasing bankruptcies during the household's debt boom phase. When inequality meets financial liberalization, a leaning against-the-wind strategy can preserve financial stability at the cost of high unemployment, whereas an accommodative strategy, i.e. lowering the policy rate, can dampen the fall of aggregate demand at the cost of larger leverage. We conclude that inequality may constrain the central bank, even when it is not explicitly targeted.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:jeborg:v:216:y:2023:i:c:p:366-385
Journal Field
Theory
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25