米国の中央銀行である連邦準備制度理事会、通称「FRB」は、かつてないほど批判の的となっています。2012年の共和党大統領候補だったロン・ポール下院議員が、『End the Fed』（訳書：『ロン・ポールの連邦準備銀行を廃止せよ』）を出版したほどです。しかし、経済の低迷と党派間の軋轢の中、FRBがかつてないほど重要な存在になっているのも事実です。
本書はこの強い影響力を持つ政府機関が持つ権限、運営、政策の決定方法などを解説しています。経済を形成する政府の二大機関のうち、議会は財政政策（税制と歳出）を管理し、FRBは金融政策（経済に流通するお金の量と速度に影響を与える）を行います。伝統的にFRB は、公開市場操作（米国債の売買）、銀行への融資、銀行預金に対する準備金の設定、という3つの手段に依存してきました。また、金融システムの規制にも一役買っています。
著者は長年にわたる連邦準備制度内部での経験をもとに、これらの手段が実際にどのように機能するかを説明します。また、地域連銀のシステムは今日の技術的な状況に合わせて修正すべきか、FRBのガバナンスに腐敗はあるか、FRBの業務から得られる利益はどうなるのか、政治的圧力の影響の有無、議会による監督の範囲、本当のところの独立性はどの程度か、といった疑問にも答えていきます。トピックが2008年の金融危機以降のFRBのバランスシートやFF金利、はたまた国際情勢に及んでも、終始一貫して洗練された解説を提供しています。
The Federal Reserve System—the central bank of the United States, better known as The Fed—has never been more controversial. Criticism has reached such levels that Congressman Ron Paul, contender for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012, published End the Fed, with blurbs from musician Arlo Guthrie and actor Vince Vaughn. And yet, amid a slow economy and partisan gridlock, the Fed has never been more important.
Stephen H. Axilrod explains this influential agency-its powers, operations, how it sets policy-in The Federal Reserve, a timely addition to Oxford's acclaimed series What Everyone Needs to Know. Of the two major governmental tools for shaping the economy, Congress controls fiscal policy-taxation and spending-and the Fed makes monetary policy-influencing how much money circulates in the economy, and how quickly. Traditionally the Fed has relied on three instruments: open-market operations (buying and selling U.S. bonds), lending to banks, and setting reserve requirements on bank deposits. It also helps to regulate the financial system.
Drawing on years of experience inside the Federal Reserve System, Axilrod shows how these tools actually work, and answers a series of increasingly detailed questions in the series format. He asks, for instance, if the system of regional Fed banks needs modification for today's technological landscape; if there is corruption in the Fed's governance; what happens to profits from its operations; the impact of political pressure; the extent of Congressional oversight; and just how independent it truly is. Whether discussing the Fed's balance sheet through the financial crisis of 2008 and beyond, the federal funds rate, or the international context, Axilrod displays a mastery of his subject
Coming in time for the Fed's 100th anniversary in 2013, this book deftly explains an institution that every American needs to understand.
Chapter 1: Background
Why is the Federal Reserve ("the Fed") so important to the country?
How in general does the Fed compare with other central banks?
How does a central bank differ from other banks and financial institutions?
If so crucial to national policy, why is the Fed independent of the government?
Chapter 2: The Fed's Organization for Policy
Where does responsibility for monetary policy decisions reside in the Fed?
What does the FOMC do and how is it organized?
How are other monetary policy instruments controlled?
How is the politically appointed Board of Governors chosen?
How are Reserve Banks governed?
What role do Reserve Banks play in the policy process?
Should the regional structure of the Fed be modified for today's world?
Should reserve bank presidents be politically appointed?
Do members and directors of Fed banks unduly profit or exert influence?
What happens to the profits from Fed operations?
What is the underlying connection between the government and the Fed?
How does the government keep tabs on the Fed?
What does it mean in practice to say the Fed is independent?
Chapter 3: Basic Monetary Policy Objectives
What are the Fed's basic objectives?
How does the Fed take account of it economic goals?
What role do Fed chairman play in focusing the institution's goals?
In what sense are the objectives compatible with each other ?
What does price stability mean?
What makes the Fed prefer a little rather than no inflation as its practical goal?
What inflation rate seems to satisfy the goal of price stability
Has the Fed specified a target rate of inflation?
Chapter 4: Instruments of Monetary Policy
How are the Fed's monetary instruments employed in the policy process?
Which of the Fed's instruments are most significant for implementing policy?
How are open market operation employed?
How does the funds rate connect with money market conditions in general?
How does the funds rate decision affect other credit markets and spending?
How do open market operations avoid creating too much money and inflation?
Does the money market itself influence spending or is it mostly a policy conduit?
Are the Fed's powers also used to influence the government market in particular?
"This is a small book but it contains a great deal of useful information... An excellent book for anyone wanting a readable introduction to the history and operations of the Federal Reserve System. Summing Up: Highly recommended." --CHOICE
ISBN : 9780199934478
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