An econometric enquiry into the transmission mechanism in the South African economy

Ph.D. (Economics)The purpose of this study is to analyse the impact of monetary impulses on the South African economy. In analogy with the exact sciences, which use a laboratory to test hypotheses, this work will rely on a economic laboratory in the form of an econometric model. With the aid of this model, we will attempt to explore the dynamics of the various monetary impulses. In other words, this study will attempt to trace the flow over time of these monetary impulses through various channels toward the real economy. We will try to identify the main channels through which the monetary impulses flow and which convey their impact on the real economy. The system transmitting these impulses to the economy will be called the monetary transmission mechanism. This has always been viewed as a mysterious phenomenon as it is not yet clear how the money stock affects the economy, whether it affects the economic system directly or does so indirectly, via other channels. Nor is it clear whether money should be seen as a unique asset which affects the economic system, or whether it should be treated like any other asset. The importance attached to the money stock by the monetarists, for example, is defended by them on the grounds that the supply of money, which is controlled by the central authorities, affects the economy, because the authorities abuse their monopoly over the money supply. In our research we will evaluate this hypothesis concerning the exogeneity of the money stock. We will show that money should be classified like any other asset, as it is endogenous in nature. This endogeneity of the money stock is determined through the interaction of the money multiplier and the liquidity base, both of which contain endogenous elements