Journal Article

Ricardo versus Thornton on the appropriate monetary response to supply shocks


Abstract: David Ricardo (1772-1823) recommended countering supply shocks with monetary contraction. Henry Thornton (1760-1815) advised a constant-money response. Their views hinged (1) on the neutrality or non-neutrality of money-stock changes on real output and employment and (2) on the costs of inflation. These same considerations influence Federal Reserve policy in response to oil shocks today.

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Provider: Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

Part of Series: Economic Review

Publication Date: 1990

Volume: 76

Issue: Nov

Pages: 18-24