Inflation and the unemployment rate typically have an inverse relationship.

Inflation and the unemployment rate typically have an inverse relationship. Expansionary monetary policy is usually implemented in an effort to reduce unemployment in an economy, but can foster higher levels of inflation as a result. On the other hand, contractionary monetary policy is usually set forth to decrease the rate of inflation, but tends to increase the unemployment rate.  Which of these two policy objectives is more important to protect and maintain and why?