Hyperinflation is a phenomenon where prices rise rapidly by more than 50% per month, at the same time as the currency loses its real value and the population has an evident reduction in its monetary wealth. In this text, we would like to argue that there are non-monetary elements1,2 that contribute to this phenomenon
ARGENTINA
La Ley de Reducción de la Inflación (IRA) es un proyecto de ley que fue firmado en ley por el presidente de los Estados Unidos, Joe Biden, el 13 de agosto de 2022. La IRA es una pieza de legislación importante que tiene como objetivo abordar varios problemas, incluyendo la inflación, el cambio climático y la desigualdad.
Algunos críticos argumentan que no va lo suficientemente lejos en abordar el cambio climático o la desigualdad. Otros argumentan que está demasiado enfocada en la política industrial y no hace lo suficiente para abordar otros desafíos que enfrenta la economía estadounidense.
The high inflation of recent years can be compared to the 1970s, although it was a very different economy. Central banks raised interest rates in both periods to contain the headline rate. In contrast to the past, food inflation has not eased this time around. This article will address the underlying reasons.
In 2020, the Fed and other G7 central banks cut interest rates and doubled their money supply to combat the economic crisis. By the end of 2021, the dilemma was whether to raise interest rates to fight inflation or leave them low to avoid a further slowdown. In March 2022, the Fed decided to prioritise inflation and began a tight monetary policy. However, in March 2023, inflation in the US and the Eurozone was still high, which meant high-interest rates to combat it.
During 2022, the prices of goods and services (global %) experienced an increase, which has generated social unrest in several countries. Central banks raised their rates to control the price rise, discouraging investment, reducing consumption and increasing concerns about a recession. Meanwhile, food prices continue to rise. This article discusses the inadequacy of monetary policy to control rising costs.
The year 2022 began as one of great uncertainty. A timid economic recovery cooled off in the third quarter of 2021, and the US economy, with its gigantic fiscal deficits, failed to pick up steam. Russia's tensions with Ukraine have grown, and there needs to be a sense of how it can be solved. China has grown steadily, and the Asian countries have performed well, counterbalancing the slowdown in the G7 economies. Inflation rose sharply in the US and had no ceiling. Against this backdrop, year 22 began with surprises and a realisation. The surprise was that their currencies depreciate when the Fed moves the interest rate for the first time if the other central banks do not do so simultaneously. That cost the Euro a 23% drop against the dollar. Second, the addition of economic sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine operation became the opportunity of a lifetime for China to consolidate an Eastern financial architecture. Finally, with the world already fragmented, the US opted firmly for import substitution policies and the de-globalisation that goes with them; while the Asian bloc led by China is advancing with its growth and globalisation.
The Fed remains resolute in its policy of raising interest rates. In its statements, it shows particular concern about an imbalance in its labour market following the social protection policies during the pandemic in the USA.
In January 2022, the IMF predicted a year of low growth with high inflation. Since then, the IMF has twice lowered its projections giving a gloomy outlook for global growth. OBELA estimated that the FED and the European Central Bank were in a dilemma where they would either ride with high inflation and some recovery or use the conventional monetary instruments of raising the interest rate and knock down the fragile consumption and investment dynamics to bring down inflation. There was a difference between the Fed having a monetary problem and the ECB recognising the geopolitical inflation issues. The result has been that both decided to raise interest rates and reduce liquidity, with predictable consequences.
On June 15, the Fed raised its target interest rate by 75 basis points, the most substantial increase since 1994. The rate has already reached 1.75%, the pre-pandemic level. It does not seem to be enough; the expectation is that it will get 3.5% by the end of the year. Meanwhile, political and media discourses are looking for who to blame for the highest inflation rate in the last 40 years. A recession comes next.
After being postponed for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Economic Forum in Davos finally took place. The central agenda of world leaders and business leaders revolved around four points, climate change, rising inflation, Russia's special military operation and how it aggravated the energy and food crisis.
