Background
Broad money represents a wide-spectrum measurement of the money supply within an economy, encompassing various types of deposits and other liquid assets. This measure provides a broader insight into the flow of money than narrower measures like M0 and M1.
Historical Context
The concept of broad money emerged as economies recognized the need to account for more than just the physical currency in circulation (M0) or readily available bank deposits (M1). By including additional forms of money, such as savings deposits and time deposits known collectively as M2, or even more expansive definitions like M3 which includes large time deposits and institutional money market funds, economists can gain a better understanding of monetary resources available within an economy.
Definitions and Concepts
Broad money typically includes the following:
- M2: Includes all items in M1 plus less liquid assets such as savings accounts and small time deposits.
- M3: Extends M2 to include large time deposits, institutional money market funds, and other larger liquid assets.
These expansions capture a fuller spectrum of money that is semi-liquid and can influence economic activity.
Major Analytical Frameworks
Classical Economics
Classical economics did not traditionally differentiate between types of money supply in the extensive manner seen in modern monetary economics.
Neoclassical Economics
Neoclassical economics underscored the importance of having a broad measure of money to assess overall economic stability and trends since it better reflects spending capacity within an economy.
Keynesian Economics
Keynesian theories regard broader monetary aggregates as crucial for understanding total available resources that can be mobilized for spending, thus impacting aggregate demand and influencing economic cycles.
Marxian Economics
Broad money is generally less emphasized in Marxian economics, which focuses more on the relationships of production and class conflicts.
Institutional Economics
This field looks at broad money to understand the accepted norms, rules, and structures that influence the economic behaviors of individuals and organizations.
Behavioral Economics
Behavioral economists may analyze how perceptions of wealth, as measured by broad money, influence consumer and business behavior, psychological drivers, and market trends.
Post-Keynesian Economics
Viewed broad measures of money as significant for understanding the flexibility and constraints in modern financial systems.
Austrian Economics
Austrian economists often critique broad money measures due to their implicit assumptions and potential for inflationary bias.
Development Economics
Broad money offers critical insights into the financial integration and depth of developing economies, shedding light on informal finance systems and broader access to financial resources.
Monetarism
Monetarists place significant emphasis on broad money measures (e.g., M2) for studies of monetary policy effectiveness and inflation control.
Comparative Analysis
Broad money significantly contributes to understanding different monetary frameworks and how robustly money supplies can inform economic policy-making compared to narrower measures. It’s generally viewed as a more comprehensive indicator of total money availability and economic fluidity.
Case Studies
- United States: The Federal Reserve’s adjustments to its definition of broad money (M2 and M3) provide an illuminating example of how nuanced assessments influence monetary policy.
- European Union: The Eurozone’s management of M3 to maintain economic stability illustrates the broader money supply’s role in international economic governance.
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- Monetary Theory and Policy by Carl E. Walsh
- Money and Banking by David Kinley
- Financial Structure and Development by Raymond W. Goldsmith
Related Terms with Definitions
- Narrow Money (M0, M1):
- M0: Physical currency in circulation.
- M1: M0 plus demand deposits at commercial banks.
- Money Multiplier: Ratio that measures the maximum amount of commercial bank money that can be created, given a certain amount of central bank money.
- Liquidity: Ease with which an asset can be converted into cash without affecting its market price.
This structure ensures a comprehensive understanding of the critical term “broad money” within the field of economics.
