Monetary policy with floating exchange rates
A reduction in the money supply increases interest rates (by shifting the LM curve to the left) and reduces price inflation (as explained by the quantity theory of money). Under floating exchange rates, higher interest rates will increase the value of the currency. A higher exchange rate will reduce both cost push inflation and demand pull inflation (by reducing net exports). Thus, floating exchange rates make monetary policy more effective at controlling price rises.
Fiscal policy with floating exchange rates
An increase in government expenditure tends to increase interest rates (as the IS curve shifts to the right). Under a floating exchange rate the rise in interest rates will lead to an increase in the value of the currency. The increase in the value of the domestic currency will reduce net exports, worsening the effects of crowding out. Thus fiscal policy is less effective with floating exchange rates.
In both cases interest rates increase. But why does crowding out occur only in the case of fiscal policy??
Last edited by a moderator: Oct 20, 2009