How can expansionary and contractionary monetary policies affect aggregate demand through the exchange rate channel?

Short Answer

Expert verified

Contractionary policy causes the domestic currency to appreciate thus reducing exports and aggregate demand. Expansionary policy causes the domestic currency to depreciate thus increasing exports and aggregate demand.

Step by step solution

01

Step 1. Concept of  Monetary policy

Monetary policy channels are the channels via which the central bank's monetary policies affect macroeconomic activity. Monetary policy influences interest rates and the accessible amount of loanable funds, which thus influences a few parts of aggregate demand. A tight or contractionary monetary policy that prompts higher interest rates and a decreased amount of loanable funds will decrease aggregate demand.

02

Step 2. Explanation

An expansionary monetary policy would increase the supply of loanable funds in the market. This would cause the interest rate to decline. This decline in interest rates would cause an outflow of funds to countries with higher interest rates. The domestic currency would be exchanged for foreign currency to invest in other countries. As the supply of domestic currency increases, its value would depreciate. This reduction in the value of the domestic currency would make exports cheaper. As the exports increase, the aggregate demand would increase as well.

Similarly, a contractionary monetary policy would decrease the supply of loanable funds in the market. This would cause the interest rate to increase. This rise in interest rates would cause an inflow of funds from other countries with lower interest rates. The demand for domestic currency would increase, and its value would appreciate. This increase in the value of the domestic currency would make exports expensive. As the exports decline, the aggregate demand would decrease as well.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

From mid-2008 to early 2009 , the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined by more than 50%, while real interest rates were low or falling. What does this scenario suggest should have happened to investment?

A "rate cycle" is a period of monetary policy during which the federal funds rate moves from its low point toward its high point, or vice versa, in response to business cycle conditions. Go to the St. Louis Federal Reserve FRED database, and find data on the federal funds rate (FEDFUNDS), real business fixed investment (PNFIC96), real residential investment (PRFIC96), and consumer durable expenditures (PCDGCC96). Use the frequency setting to convert the federal funds rate data to "quarterly," and download the data.

a. When did the last rate cycle begin and end? (Note: If a rate cycle is currently in progress, use the current period as the end.) Is this rate cycle a contractionary or an expansionary rate cycle?

b. Calculate the percentage change in business fixed investment, residential (housing) investment, and consumer durable expenditures over this rate cycle.

c. Based on your answers to parts (a) and (b), how effective was the traditional interest rate channel of monetary policy over this rate cycle?

As defined in Exercise 1, a "rate cycle" is a period of monetary policy during which the federal funds rate moves from its low point toward its high point, or vice versa, in response to business cycle conditions. Go to the St. Louis Federal Reserve FRED database, and find data on the federal funds rate (FEDFUNDS), bank reserves (TOTRESNS), bank deposits (TCDSL), commercial and industrial loans (BUSLOANS), real estate loans (REALLN), real business fixed investment (PNFIC96), and real residential investment (PRFIC96). Use the frequency setting to convert the federal funds rate, bank reserves, bank deposits, commercial and industrial loans, and real estate loans data to "quarterly," and download the data.

a. When did the last rate cycle begin and end? (Note: If a rate cycle is currently in progress, use the current period as the end.) Is this rate cycle a contractionary or an expansionary rate cycle?

b. Calculate the percentage change in bank deposits, bank lending, real business fixed investment, and real residential (housing) investment over this rate cycle.

c. Based on your answers to parts (a) and (b), how effective was the bank lending channel of monetary policy over this rate cycle?

Why might the bank lending channel be less effective today than it once was?

How does the Great Depression demonstrate the unanticipated price level channel?

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