Negative interest rates: a Keynesian perspective

Fiona Maclachlan ()

Review of Keynesian Economics, 2019, vol. 7, issue 2, 171-184

Abstract: One of the most surprising recent developments in financial markets has been the emergence of negative yields on long-term debt. This development contradicts the notion of the zero lower bound which, until recently, was taken as a given in monetary policy discussions. In this paper, I look at the phenomenon of negative yields through the lens of Keynes's liquidity-preference theory of interest. I review changes to the financial market environment that have led to a shift in the liquidity of government bonds relative to bank deposits, and with this empirical context in place, I argue Keynes's theory is consistent with the phenomenon of negative bond yields. Finally, I consider Keynes's thought in relation to a negative interest-rate policy (NIRP) and argue that while he would be opposed to a NIRP as a temporary expedient, a mildly negative policy rate fits with his long-run vision for a world with a zero risk-free long-term interest rate.

Keywords: Keynes; negative interest rates; NIRP; liquidity preference (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: B22 E43 E52 E58 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:elg:rokejn:v:7:y:2019:i:2:p171-184

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