Abstract
M.Com. (Economics)
The theoretical principle of the Report is by no means clearly outlined by the Commission although the Report states that it was compiled by experts. The study tried to identify the position of the Report within the broad spectrum of beliefs on monetary policy. For the purpose of analysis, the Monetaristic School, the Keynesian School as well as the ultra free market approach of the Austrian School of Economists were looked at specifically. The study yielded interesting results such as:
* The disparagement of the Report of a fixed money supply rule and interest rates which are not allowed to find their own levels at all times, forms an unbridgeable gap between the monetarists and the Commission. Of the most important incidences between the two viewpoints is the fact that inflation is regarded as a monetary phenomenon and that direct control measures are rejected.
* The fact that the Report recommends that the money supply be controlled from the demand side and that we therefore, at least in the short term, have to do with an endogenous money supply which is determined by the demand therefore, supports the view of the Keynesian School.
* No definite incidences between the Report and the ultra free market approach could be identified.
* A more functional approach implies that discretionary decision making power of the monetary authorities ought to be scaled down and altered as the approach of the Commission with regard to control over the money supply is being questioned. The reason for this is that behavourial variables that the Commission tries to influence are not known variables.
* A money supply rule in South Africa can presently not be applied effectively as a result of the fact that all markets in the economy are not fully competitive.
* It is recommended that more freedom can be g,ranted to the private banking sector in the form of the denationalization of money. It can for example take place through extensive scaling down in discount rendering by the Reserve Bank. Banks are consequently forced to keep their own reserves and to create money on the basis of their current reserves. That alone forms a control mechanism over the creation of money because of the fact that competition between banks will ensure that no bank would like its currency to depreciate against the currencies of the other banks as a result of excessive money creation.