Inflation Dynamics and the Great Recession

Economics Working Paper Archive from The Johns Hopkins University,Department of Economics

Abstract: This paper examines inflation dynamics in the Unites States since 1960, with a particular focus on the Great Recession. A puzzle emerges when Phillips curves estimated over 1960- 2007 are used to predict inflation over 2008-2010: inflation should have fallen by more than it did. We resolve this puzzle with two modifications of the Phillips curve, both suggested by theories of costly price adjustment: we measure core inflation with the median CPI inflation rate, and we allow the slope of the Phillips curve to change with the level and variance of inflation. We then examine the hypothesis of anchored inflation expectations. We find that expectations have been fully "shock-anchored" since the 1980s, while "level anchoring" has been gradual and partial, but significant. It is not clear whether expectations are sufficiently anchored to prevent deflation over the next few years. Finally, we show that the Great Recession provides fresh evidence against the New Keynesian Phillips curve with rational expectations.

Date: 2011-05
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cba, nep-mac and nep-mon
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (296)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Inflation Dynamics and the Great Recession (2011)
Working Paper: Inflation Dynamics and the Great Recession (2011)
Working Paper: Inflation Dynamics and the Great Recession (2011)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:jhu:papers:580

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