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Optimum Quantity of Money

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Abstract

The optimum quantity of money is a normative monetary policy conclusion drawn from the long-run properties of a theoretical model. Most famously associated with Milton Friedman, the optimum calls for a zero nominal rate of interest and thus a steady state of price deflation at the long-run real rate of interest. Although this policy prescription has played a minor role in monetary policy implementation, it has had an enormous influence in monetary theory.

This chapter was originally published in The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics, 2nd edition, 2008. Edited by Steven N. Durlauf and Lawrence E. Blume

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Acknowledgement

The author would like to thank Charles Carlstrom and John Hoag for their helpful comments.

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Fuerst, T.S. (2008). Optimum Quantity of Money. In: The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-95121-5_1740-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-95121-5_1740-2

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-349-95121-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Economics and FinanceReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences

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Chapter history

  1. Latest

    Optimum Quantity of Money
    Published:
    21 March 2017

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-95121-5_1740-2

  2. Original

    Optimum Quantity of Money
    Published:
    24 November 2016

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-95121-5_1740-1