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RE: Inflation, Deflation, a Crystal Ball and Adaptability

in #economics7 years ago

Refreshing to see such a sober look at inflation and money creation. Very rare in this space. Up'd and Resteemed.

Only thing I'd argue with is:

"With too much debt, governments will struggle to pay these entitlements."

As a sovereign issuer (nation that issues its own currency), will always be able to afford its obligations, so long as its debts and obligations are denominated in the currency it issues.

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Good point, as long as someone is willing to pay for their bonds. As an example, Argentina just recently issued 100 year bonds at 7.9%. Illinois may be in trouble soon but as a state, it does not issue currency. Many emerging economies have debt issued in US dollars, so that is also in play. The Debt ceiling in the US also could be part of this discussion as some spending would have to reduced there.

Sorry, what I mean is a sovereign issuer doesn't actually have to issue bonds to fund spending.

Real lengthy, but broken up into easily readable articles, check out Randal Wray's Modern Monetary Theory Primer.

Or this all in one from one of the lads at Bennelong Funds

Was Argentina's bond issuance in local currency or USD? I saw the 100yr headline last week, but didn't read the article. Borrowing in a currency you don't issue is nearly always a shocking idea. As is signing away your monetary sovereignty like all of Europe did.

... and yeah you're right about Illinois ... individual States don't issue currency, so they really are fiscally constrained to whatever they can raise through bond issuance/receive in federal funding/tax from residents and businesses.

Thanks for the links, will read, so much to learn. Looks like the Argentinian bonds were issued in USD. http://www.nasdaq.com/article/argentina-raises-eyebrows-with-surprise-100year-bond-sale-20170619-00941

I wonder what the chances are of Argentina defaulting on a USD loan in the next 100 years? I'd be charging a wicked premium if I was writing options on that!

Glad your interested in MMT, it's starting to gain a lot of traction. This is what young economists are learning at Newcastle Uni.