Have central bank gambles paid off? | Mohamed El-Erian

Unconventional policies may have staved off short-term economic collapse but they may not foster long-term growth

In recent years, central banks have made a large policy wager. They bet that the protracted use of unconventional and experimental measures would provide an effective bridge to more comprehensive measures that would generate high inclusive growth and minimise the risk of financial instability.

But central banks have repeatedly had to double down, in the process becoming increasingly aware of the growing risks to their credibility, effectiveness and political autonomy. Ironically, central bankers may now get a response from other policymaking entities, which, instead of helping to normalise their operations, would make their task a lot tougher.

Related: The ECB must heed calls to review its policy framework | Stefan Gerlach