Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/60782 
Year of Publication: 
2012
Series/Report no.: 
Staff Report No. 535
Publisher: 
Federal Reserve Bank of New York, New York, NY
Abstract: 
This paper considers a general class of nonlinear rational-expectations models in which policymakers seek to maximize an objective function that may be household expected utility. We show how to derive a target criterion that is 1) consistent with the model's structural equations, 2) strong enough to imply a unique equilibrium, and 3) optimal, in the sense that a commitment to adjust the policy instrument at all dates so as to satisfy the target criterion maximizes the objective function. The proposed optimal target criterion is a linear equation that must be satisfied by the projected paths of certain economically relevant target variables. It takes the same form at all times and generally involves only a small number of target variables, regardless of the size and complexity of the model. While the projected path of the economy requires information about its current state, the target criterion itself can be stated without reference to a complete description of the state of the world. We illustrate the application of the method to a nonlinear DSGE model with staggered price setting, in which the objective of policy is to maximize household expected utility.
Subjects: 
optimal policy
target criterion
dynamic model
optimal control
JEL: 
C61
C62
E32
E52
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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