The speculative attack on the peso and the real exchange rate: Argentina, 1979–1981

Abstract

This article applies a speculative attack model to Argentina during its pre-announced exchange-rate system from January 1, 1979 to June 30, 1981. The model attempts to verify a rule whereby if domestic credit growth exceeds the rate of currency depreciation, two things occur: First, the domestic price of non-traded goods rises relative to the price of traded goods. Second, foreign reserves decline until a point when a sudden speculative attack depletes remaining reserves, causes a precipitous fall in the relative price of non-tradables, and forces the country onto a floating exchange-rate regime. In some important respects, the model captures the Argentinian experience, yet in other respects if fails to do so.