Lecture notes and suggested tutorial work for James Forder’s lectures.
Lecture Notes
First two lectures: In economists’ advocacy of central bank independence, there has been an intellectual debacle of giant proportions. Go ahead and quote me, if you dare. The way the case for independence was made in the academic literature is a professional disgrace. Here’s why: Forder – Economists’ case for central bank independence
Additional comment on Rogoff 1985 and Walsh 1995 following questions in a lecture: Additional note on Rogoff and Walsh
Third one: There are a staggering number of arguments about the optimal rate of inflation and a consideration of their range and the range of tones of argument too is nearly as interesting as their content. That’s what I think, anyway: Forder – Optimal rate of inflation
Fourth one: Well, its the end of term and so time to start asking ‘What is money, anyway?’ Forder – The fundamental nature of money
Bonus on the ‘stone money’ of Yap: Stone money
Lecture on evidence concerning central bank independence (lecture not given after 2015): Central bank independence – evidence
Suggested reading, essay questions, etc
essay topic – Central bank independence
essay topic – The optimal rate of inflation
essay topic – The nature of money
Comments and questions on the lectures are most welcome: