A critical reconsideration of the foundations of monetary policy in the new consensus macroeconomics framework

Monetary policy has become firmly based on the use of interest rate as the key policy instrument, and in a one instrument--one target framework. The approach to monetary policy is closely associated with the new consensus in macroeconomics (NCM). This paper undertakes a critical appraisal of the role of monetary policy in the context of the NCM. After setting out the main features of the NCM, there is critical discussion of the role of monetary policy and the NCM framework. The discussion covers the nature of the loss function, the role of the 'natural rate of interest' and the Phillips' curve. This is followed by a critical evaluation of the IS curve in the NCM and the classical dichotomy. The paper finishes by asking whether interest rates do have the effects claimed for them. Copyright The Author 2008. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Cambridge Political Economy Society. All rights reserved., Oxford University Press.