Robust learning stability with operational monetary policy rules

George William Evans () and Seppo Mikko Sakari Honkapohja ()

No 31/2007, Research Discussion Papers from Bank of Finland

Abstract: We consider the robust stability of a rational expectations equilibrium, which we define as stability under discounted (constant gain) least-squares learning, for a range of gain parameters. We find that for operational forms of policy rules, ie rules that do not depend on contemporaneous values of endogenous aggregate variables, many interest-rate rules do not exhibit robust stability. We consider a variety of interest-rate rules, including instrument rules, optimal reaction functions under discretion or commitment, and rules that approximate optimal policy under commitment. For some reaction functions we allow for an interest-rate stabilization motive in the policy objective. The expectations-based rules proposed in Evans and Honkapohja (2003, 2006) deliver robust learning stability. In contrast, many proposed alternatives become unstable under learning even at small values of the gain parameter.

Keywords: commitment; interest-rate setting; adaptive learning; stability; determinacy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D84 E31 E52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cba, nep-mac and nep-mon
Date: Written
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Related works:
Working Paper: Robust Learning Stability with Operational Monetary Policy Rules (2008)
Working Paper: Robust Learning Stability with Operational Monetary Policy Rules (2008)
Working Paper: Robust Learning Stability with Operational Monetary Policy Rules
Working Paper: Robust Learning Stability with Operational Monetary Policy Rules (2008)
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