Policy trilemma – the impossible trinity
Policy trilemma – the impossible trinity The policy trilemma refers to the trade-offs a government faces when deciding international monetary policy. In particular, the policy trilemma contends that it is not possible to have all three objectives at the same time, but has to choose two from the following three options: Free movement of capital Independent (autonomous) monetary policy Fixed (managed) exchange rates Policy trilemma diagram This simple diagram suggests that a government has to choose between A = Fixed exchange rate + free capital mobility B = Free capital mobility + monetary autonomy C = Fixed Exchange rate + monetary autonomy Why the trilemma occurs A = Fixed exchange rate + free capital mobility If the government set a fixed exchange rate and allow the free movement of capital, then they will need to change interest rates according to outside pressures. For example, if the UK government wanted to keep the Pound fixed against the Euro, then the government would nee...