Chosen Aspects of the Inflation Target Strategy in Theory and Practice of Central Banks

Abstract

The Maastricht Treaty requires, among others, that the European Union member states should implement standards, principles and instruments of the European System of Central Banks. From the viewpoint of responsibilities of the central bank, this implies domination of the monetary policy over the needs of the economic policy, because the principal goal of this institution is to keep stable the purchasing power of the issued currency. Different strategies can be used to achieve this goal. One such strategy concentrates directly on controlling the inflation target, which is commonly considered a very effective method of stabilizing the purchasing power of the currency. This strategy strengthens the general macroeconomic stability via the channel of monetary transmission, which brings best results in countries with stable and well developed economies, but it is often implemented also in the emerging market countries.