Contractionary monetary policy is used to control inflation.
Inflation is the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services is rising, resulting in a decline in the purchasing power of money. When inflation rises above a certain level, it can lead to negative consequences for the economy, such as a decrease in consumer purchasing power and a decrease in business investment.
Contractionary monetary policy is a tool used by central banks to reduce inflation by decreasing the money supply and increasing interest rates. When the central bank reduces the money supply, it becomes more expensive for banks to borrow money, and they, in turn, charge higher interest rates on loans to consumers and businesses. This higher cost of borrowing reduces consumer and business spending, which helps to decrease demand for goods and services, and thus helps to reduce inflation.
In summary, contractionary monetary policy is used to control inflation by reducing the money supply and increasing interest rates, which in turn reduces spending and helps to decrease inflation.