The two pillars that support the entire modern monetary system—that central banks have a clear mandate for price stability and that they are independent from governments—have crumbled over time.
For years, people have questioned the independence of central banks. However, from 2020 onward, this independence has virtually vanished. A monetary authority that does not consider monetary aggregates in its policy is effectively abandoning price stability as a target.
If we look at the Fed’s actions since 2020, we can see how it has prioritized government debt over price stability. Initially, the Fed accelerated the money supply to its highest level in decades, enabling significantly higher spending during a lockdown. Afterwards, the Fed maintained aggressive easing policies despite rising inflation, announcing that price increases were “transitory.” Four years later, government spending has risen by $2 trillion above 2019 levels, and inflation is persistent despite the U.S.’s record energy production and competitive advantages.
Continue reading The Fed’s mandate cannot be government excess.