{"id":270100,"date":"2024-06-30T08:00:49","date_gmt":"2024-06-30T08:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/?post_type=definition&p=270100"},"modified":"2024-06-30T08:00:48","modified_gmt":"2024-06-30T08:00:48","slug":"monetary-policy","status":"publish","type":"definition","link":"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/monetary-policy","title":{"rendered":"Monetary Policy"},"content":{"rendered":"
Monetary policy is a series of actions taken by a country’s central bank<\/a> to maintain a stable economy and employment with the use of various tools such as interest rates<\/a> and asset purchasing.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/div><\/div>\n Based on the monetary policy definition, there are two main types of policies: expansionary and contractionary.<\/p>\n Expansionary monetary policy<\/strong> is used to stimulate an economy that is slowing down or in a recession.<\/p>\n On the flipside, contractionary monetary policy<\/strong> is used to cool down an overheated economy that is running high inflation.<\/p>\n The main goal of monetary policy is to balance full employment and inflation. When monetary policy is used to grow the economy, there’s a risk of increasing inflation.<\/p>\n On the other side, when monetary policy is used to manage inflation, it can slow the economy and risk a recession. Therefore, monetary policy decisions must balance these two opposing forces to maintain economic stability.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The main tool of monetary policy is interest rates<\/strong>, which central banks use to increase or decrease the cost of borrowing money. As interest rates rise, it becomes more expensive to borrow, and instead, businesses slow down their growth. This also incentivizes more savings and reduces economic growth. When interest rates are lowered, businesses are incentivized to borrow and grow and, in turn, hire more employees, which helps reduce unemployment and grow the economy.<\/p>\n Monetary policy can be used to buy and sell government securities<\/a> such as bonds<\/a>, known as open market operations<\/strong>. When a central bank purchases securities, it injects capital into the economy to spur growth. When it sells securities, it removes money from the economy to help manage inflation.<\/p>\n A final tool that central banks can use is to change the reserve ratio required for banks<\/strong>. The reserve ratio is the percentage of deposits that banks must hold as reserves. If this ratio is lowered, banks can lend out more capital and jumpstart economic growth. When the reserve ratio is raised, banks must hold more cash, taking it out of the economy and lowering growth as a result.<\/p>\n What is it?<\/strong> Actions to increase the money supply and reduce interest rates<\/p>\n Goals<\/strong>: Stimulate economic growth and reduce unemployment<\/p>\n Money supply<\/strong>: Increases<\/p>\n Interest rates<\/strong>: Decrease<\/p>\n When is it used?<\/strong> A slowing economy facing a recession<\/p>\n Risks<\/strong>: Currency devaluation and rising inflation<\/p>\n <\/div>\n What is it?<\/strong> Actions to decrease the money supply and increase interest rates<\/p>\n Goals<\/strong>: Manage rising inflation and stabilize the local currency value<\/p>\n Money supply<\/strong>: Decreases<\/p>\n Interest rates<\/strong>: Increase<\/p>\n When is it used?<\/strong> An overheated economy with rising inflation<\/p>\n Risks<\/strong>: Rising unemployment and slower economic growth<\/p>\n <\/div><\/div><\/div>\n What is it?<\/strong> Decisions to control the money supply and interest rates<\/p>\n Managed by\u2026<\/strong> Central banks<\/p>\n Goals<\/strong>: Manage inflation and employment<\/p>\n Main tool<\/strong>: Interest rates<\/p>\n In a recession\u2026<\/strong> Reduce interest rates and purchase securities<\/p>\n In an inflationary environment\u2026<\/strong> Increase interest rates and sell securities<\/p>\n <\/div>\n What is it?<\/strong> Decisions to manage taxes and government spending<\/p>\n Managed by\u2026<\/strong> Governments and legislatures<\/p>\n Goals<\/strong>: Redistribute income and stimulate economic growth<\/p>\n Main tool<\/strong>: Government spending and taxes<\/p>\n In a recession\u2026<\/strong>\u00a0 Increase spending and decrease taxes<\/p>\n In an inflationary environment\u2026<\/strong> Decrease spending and increase taxes<\/p>\n <\/div><\/div><\/div>\n <\/div><\/div><\/div>\n <\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n Monetary policy actions can help central banks maintain economic stability. Monetary policy, meaning the management of interest rates and money supply, is a crucial tool in this effort. Because central banks are generally independent from political parties, they can operate without bias and in the best interest of the economy as a whole.<\/p>\n While monetary policy changes aren’t a cure-all for economic issues and can take months or even years to take full effect, they are often useful tools to manage inflation, employment, and keep the economy running smoothly.<\/p>\nKey Takeaways<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Types of Monetary Policy<\/span><\/h2>\n
Monetary Policy Goals<\/span><\/h2>\n
Tools of Monetary Policy<\/span><\/h2>\n
Expansionary Monetary Policy vs. Contractionary Monetary Policy<\/span><\/h2>\n
Monetary Policy vs. Fiscal Policy<\/span><\/h2>\n
Monetary Policy Pros and Cons<\/span><\/h2>\n
Pros<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Cons<\/b><\/h3>\n
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The Bottom Line<\/span><\/h2>\n
FAQs<\/span><\/h2>\n
What is monetary policy in simple terms?<\/h3> <\/div>\n