Abstract
Economists have repeatedly developed various theories for the origin of inflation and claimed that these theories were always valid everywhere. But history has shown that the theories – although they are useful – were only valid during certain time periods and under special circumstances. What is therefore needed is a system that assigns the various explanations of inflation to the specific circumstances for which they are particularly suited. This paper sets out such a system. Borrowing from Charlie Munger's (2005. Poor Charlie’s Almanack. Stripe Press), I call it a “latticework of inflation models”. In the first section 1 map the various inflation theories and then discuss and relate them to each other in the following sections. I find that during and after the pandemic several drivers of inflation were at work, so that several theories of inflation instead of just one allow a more comprehensive explanation of the inflation experienced during this period. The “latticework of inflation models” is also better suited than just one model for investigating the outlook for inflation.
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Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Editorial
- Economic Policy Making Under Hardening Fiscal Constraints
- Policy Papers (No Special Focus)
- A Latticework of Inflation Models
- A Comparative Evaluation of Fiscal Stabilization Strategies during the Covid-19 Pandemic with Germany as a Reference Point
- The Relationship Between the German Current Account and Financial Account: Evidence from the Toda-Yamamoto Causality Approach
- The Tax Attractiveness of EU Locations for Corporate Investments: A Stocktaking of Past Developments and Recent Reforms
- Aid in Conflict: Determinants of International Aid Allocation to Ukraine During the 2022 Russian Invasion
- Policy Forum: Economic Policy in an Era of Hardening Fiscal Constraints
- Public Debt Ratios Will Increase For Some Time. We Must Make Sure That They Do Not Explode
- An EU Fund to Incentivise Public Investments with Positive Externalities
- The Case for Putting a Public Investment Clause into the German Debt Brake
- EU Debt Instruments and Fiscal Transparency: The Case of the EU Recovery Fund
- Explaining the Divergence in German and French Public Finances
- Fiscal Prospects for Italy
- The Swiss Debt Brake Is Democratic, Strict, Transparent, and Binding. A Model to Follow?
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Editorial
- Economic Policy Making Under Hardening Fiscal Constraints
- Policy Papers (No Special Focus)
- A Latticework of Inflation Models
- A Comparative Evaluation of Fiscal Stabilization Strategies during the Covid-19 Pandemic with Germany as a Reference Point
- The Relationship Between the German Current Account and Financial Account: Evidence from the Toda-Yamamoto Causality Approach
- The Tax Attractiveness of EU Locations for Corporate Investments: A Stocktaking of Past Developments and Recent Reforms
- Aid in Conflict: Determinants of International Aid Allocation to Ukraine During the 2022 Russian Invasion
- Policy Forum: Economic Policy in an Era of Hardening Fiscal Constraints
- Public Debt Ratios Will Increase For Some Time. We Must Make Sure That They Do Not Explode
- An EU Fund to Incentivise Public Investments with Positive Externalities
- The Case for Putting a Public Investment Clause into the German Debt Brake
- EU Debt Instruments and Fiscal Transparency: The Case of the EU Recovery Fund
- Explaining the Divergence in German and French Public Finances
- Fiscal Prospects for Italy
- The Swiss Debt Brake Is Democratic, Strict, Transparent, and Binding. A Model to Follow?