Chapter 15: Problem 6

Why does contractionary monetary policy cause interest rates to rise?

Short Answer

Expert verified

Contractionary monetary policy leads to higher interest rates because it involves decreasing the money supply in the economy. This reduction in money supply increases the demand for loans and credit, as there is less money available. Due to this higher demand, lenders charge higher interest rates to lend the limited available money. As a result, borrowing becomes more expensive, which reduces spending and helps slow economic growth and reduce inflation.

Step by step solution

Definition of Contractionary Monetary Policy

Contractionary monetary policy is a policy implemented by a central bank to slow down the growth of an economy, with the intention of reducing inflation. This is done by decreasing the money supply or increasing the cost of borrowing, which makes it more expensive for businesses and consumers to acquire credit, thereby reducing their spending and slowing the growth in demand.

Decreased Money Supply

Contractionary monetary policy reduces the money supply by means such as selling government bonds and increasing reserve requirements for banks. Decreasing the money supply means there is less money available in the economy, leading to an increased demand for loans and credit.

Relationship Between Money Supply and Interest Rates

The relationship between the money supply and interest rates can be understood through the concept of supply and demand. When the money supply is reduced, the demand for loans and credit increases as there is less money available in the economy. The higher the demand for loans, the higher the interest rates, as lenders will charge a higher price to lend money in a limited supply.

Influence of Central Banks on Interest Rates

Central banks have a significant role in managing interest rates. They typically set a target interest rate, which they seek to achieve through various monetary policy tools such as adjusting the money supply. In the case of contractionary monetary policy, central banks may either directly raise short-term interest rates or may indirectly cause rates to rise by reducing the money supply.

Contractionary Monetary Policy and Interest Rates

In conclusion, contractionary monetary policy causes interest rates to rise because it decreases the money supply, leading to increased demand for loans and credit. As a result of the higher demand, lenders charge higher interest rates to lend the limited available money. These higher interest rates, in turn, make borrowing more expensive, leading to a reduction in spending, and ultimately achieving the goal of slowing economic growth and reducing inflation.