The reason why it's done essentially universally is not necessarily because it is good for the economy in general, it needs only to be good for those who contro

The reason why it's done essentially universally is not necessarily because it is good for the economy in general, it needs only to be good for those who control the issuing of currency (governments). And it is beneficial for them to do so simply because it enables them to spend more without having to take unpopular measures like raising taxes. I have read the vast majority of the arguments for having inflation or deflation and to be perfectly honest I find most of them to be unconvincing and essentially boil down to "it's good because its good". Both inflation, deflation and stagflation have their benefits and drawbacks and they all have a place and should all be used, because economic scenarios and circumstances differ over time and place. To state that we should all have at all times everywhere 2% inflation is dumb, dangerous and frankly if you hold that sort of view you have no business being anywhere near monetary policy because you're not an economist, you're a priest.