4.6

Monetary Policy

AP Macroeconomics

The Federal Reserve System

Tools of Monetary Policy

1. Open Market Operations (OMO) — Most Important

2. Reserve Requirement (RRR)

3. Discount Rate

4. Federal Funds Rate (Target Rate)

5. Interest on Reserves (IOR)

Tool Summary

Expansionary Monetary Policy (Easy Money)

Contractionary Monetary Policy (Tight Money)

Complete Policy Summary Table

Monetary Policy vs. Fiscal Policy

Limitations of Monetary Policy

1. Liquidity Trap

2. Pushing on a String

3. Time Lags

Worked AP FRQ Example

AP Exam Tips

Common Mistakes