Monetary policy has changed a lot over time as money systems have evolved. The goal is to keep inflation low and the economy stable. To do this, the people in charge use tools like interest rates or the amount of money in circulation. They want to make sure the economy is running smoothly and prices are not going up too fast. Over the years, central banks have become more independent and have different ways of reaching their goals. There is ongoing debate about whether they should follow strict rules or have more flexibility in their decisions.