TY - CHAP
T1 - ECB monetary policies
T2 - The increasing importance of communication
AU - de Haan, Jakob
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - Over the recent two decades, monetary policy has increasingly become the art of managing expectations. As a consequence, central bank communication has become an important instrument in central banks’ toolkits. Central bank communication was initially primarily focused on financial markets. Recently, however, central banks started paying increasing attention to communication with the general public. The European Central Bank (ECB) is no exception. Although communicating with the general public is important, it is not clear whether non-experts are within reach of the ECB. Even if they receive the communications, it cannot be taken for granted that they process them, and do so appropriately, as non-experts might lack the relevant background or because the communication by the central banks is too complex. However, even if central bank communication with the general public may have limited impact on inflation expectations, central bank accountability simply requires that central banks talk (and listen) to the general public. Clear and easy to understand communication to the general public is essential for the ECB’s legitimacy. The ECB should therefore primarily focus on explaining its price stability mandate in communicating to the general public, and do so in a relatable manner.
AB - Over the recent two decades, monetary policy has increasingly become the art of managing expectations. As a consequence, central bank communication has become an important instrument in central banks’ toolkits. Central bank communication was initially primarily focused on financial markets. Recently, however, central banks started paying increasing attention to communication with the general public. The European Central Bank (ECB) is no exception. Although communicating with the general public is important, it is not clear whether non-experts are within reach of the ECB. Even if they receive the communications, it cannot be taken for granted that they process them, and do so appropriately, as non-experts might lack the relevant background or because the communication by the central banks is too complex. However, even if central bank communication with the general public may have limited impact on inflation expectations, central bank accountability simply requires that central banks talk (and listen) to the general public. Clear and easy to understand communication to the general public is essential for the ECB’s legitimacy. The ECB should therefore primarily focus on explaining its price stability mandate in communicating to the general public, and do so in a relatable manner.
U2 - 10.1017/9781009364706.014
DO - 10.1017/9781009364706.014
M3 - Chapter
T3 - Cambridge Law Handbooks
SP - 197
EP - 214
BT - The Cambridge Handbook on European Monetary, Economic and Financial Market Integration
A2 - Adamski, Dariusz
A2 - Amtenbrink, Fabian
A2 - de Haan, Jakob
PB - Cambridge University Press
CY - Cambridge
ER -