Choice Of Exchange Rate Regime Research Articles

Exchange Rate Regime Choices in Small Open Economies from Bretton Woods to Inflation Targeting

AbstractAfter centuries of metallic monies, for a long time, our understanding of fiat money had remained rudimentary and often controversial. Successive regimes eventually failed. The end of the Bretton Woods system marked the moment when the link between fiat money and gold was severed and when the possibility of letting exchange rates float became possible. The small open economies adopted various arrangements. Informed by these experiments, the understanding of monetary policy substantially progressed, leading to the widespread adoption of the expected inflation-targeting strategy with similar inflation targets. As a result, exchange rate variability has declined. The US dollar dominance was maintained and even increased. Yet, new challenges have emerged. The long period of interest rates stuck at the effective bound effectively suspended the use of the strategy. Then, during the post-pandemic surge in inflation rates, inflation forecasts became highly imprecise.

Interest rates across the world: Global, regional, and idiosyncratic factors

This paper employs a dynamic factor model with endogenous regional clustering and extreme value adjustment properties to construct a world interest rate, as well as regional factors, based on country-specific short-run real interest rates from 43 markets. We find that global and regional factors play crucial roles in determining local rates among advanced countries, while local factors are more important among emerging markets. Further, convenience yields essentially affect both global and regional rates, especially in the longer run. Moreover, the relationship between global and local rates depends crucially on capital account openness, while the choice of exchange rate regime is a critical determinant of the transmission of regional factors. Lastly, we show that a U.S. nominal rate shock would raise the global real rate a quarter later, with a stronger impact observed before the U.S. rate hits the zero lower bound in 2008.

Role of the choice of exchange rate regime on real exchange rate misalignments in South Sahara African countries

Role of the choice of exchange rate regime on real exchange rate misalignments in South Sahara African countries

Milton Friedman and the Road to Monetarism: A Review Essay

Milton Friedman and the Road to Monetarism: A Review Essay

A Risk-based Theory of Exchange Rate Stabilization

AbstractWe develop a novel, risk-based theory of the effects of exchange rate stabilization. In our model, the choice of exchange rate regime allows policymakers to make their currency, and by extension, the firms in their country, a safer investment for international investors. Policies that induce a country’s currency to appreciate when the marginal utility of international investors is high lower the required rate of return on the country’s currency and increase the world-market value of domestic firms. Applying this logic to exchange rate stabilizations, we find a small economy stabilizing its bilateral exchange rate relative to a larger economy can increase domestic capital accumulation, domestic wages, and even its share in world wealth. In the absence of policy coordination, small countries optimally choose to stabilize their exchange rates relative to the currency of the largest economy in the world, which endogenously emerges as the world’s “anchor currency”, Larger economies instead optimally choose to float their exchange rates. The model therefore predicts an equilibrium pattern of exchange rate arrangements that is remarkably similar to the one in the data.

Effects of the business cycle on real exchange rate misalignments with respect to exchange rate regimes

This paper explores the relationship between real exchange rate (RER) misalignments and economic fundamentals with respect to the exchange rate regime choice. In a first step, using the technical inefficiency model, we measure RER misalignments and, more specifically, RER overvaluation. In a second step, we assess the effects of the main economic indicators and the choice of a country's exchange rate regime on RER overvaluation. Our empirical findings, based on nonlinear specifications and impulse response functions of Panel Vector Auto Regression (PVAR) estimations, reveal that for developing countries, and during the expansion and peak phases of the business cycle, the floating exchange rate regime may be used as a policy tool to contain the pressure in the exchange rate, and so limit overvaluation. Our findings also reveal that in the context of fixed and intermediate exchange rate regimes, an expansionary monetary policy is an effective tool to stabilize exchange rate fluctuations and mitigate overvaluation.

Impact the choice of Exchange Rate Regime on country Economic Growth: Which anchor currency leading the 21st Century

This study provides a comprehensive currencies history of the exchange rate arrangement of 195 countries; exchange rate regime impacts on countries' growth and macroeconomic stability period of 1961 to 2020. New measurements of foreign exchange regimes and under controlling the income level of high, upper-middle, middle, and lower-middle economies; This Study adopt Generalized Method of Movements (GMM) to investigate the impact of exchange rate regimes on the economies and macro-economic stability through Per Capita GDP, GDP growth, Inflation and Foreign Trade. The U.S. Dollar dominated the currency in world with a high margin. World countries desire to stabilize exchange rates, reduce exchange restrictions and currencies influence. We find that post Bretton woods transition from fixed to flexible management: Strong relations exist among the choice of exchange rate regime and countries growth. Policy implications are clear; the choice of exchange rate arrangement prevails no impact showing on the long-term countries growth, exchange rate anchor currencies of US Dollar, British Sterling Pound, Euro, Chinese Yuan, French franc, Deutschmark, and Basket currencies have a highly significant impact on countries growth of different income level. Suggest Chinese Yuan may consider alternate anchor currency for World and new measure of exchange rate controls developed. Central banks may be secure advanced country bonds, safe assets, and multi-currencies pegged systems adopted for the reserve to overcome the declining effectiveness of exchange controls.

Impact the choice of Exchange Rate Regime on Country Economic Growth: Which anchor Currency leading the 21st Century

Impact the choice of Exchange Rate Regime on Country Economic Growth: Which anchor Currency leading the 21st Century

How Economic, Political and Institutional Factors Influence the Choice of Exchange Rate Regimes? New Evidence from Selected Countries of the MENA Region

In this paper, we investigate how economic, political, and institutional factors affect the choice of exchange rate regimes using data on eight Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries over the 1984-2016 period. Specifically, we run random-effects ordered probit regressions of the likelihood of exchange rate regimes on the potential determinants of exchange rate regimes. Three important findings emerge from the analysis. The first finding is that political and institutional factors play an important role in determining the exchange rate regime in MENA countries, where a democratic political regime and a low level of corruption increase the probability of opting for a fixed regime, while strong governments, political stability (such as less internal conflicts and more government stability), more law and order enforcement, and a left-wing government decrease the probability of opting for a fixed regime. The second finding is that bureaucracy, independent central banks, elections, terms of trade, and monetary independence have no effect on the choice of exchange rate regimes. The third finding is that financial development is not a robust determinant of the choice of exchange rate regimes. Our results still hold when considering alternative specifications, and they have important implications for policymakers in MENA countries

How Economic, Political and Institutional Factors Influence the Choice of Exchange Rate Regimes? New Evidence from Selected Countries of the MENA Region

How Economic, Political and Institutional Factors Influence the Choice of Exchange Rate Regimes? New Evidence from Selected Countries of the MENA Region

Commodity Shocks and Exchange Rate Regimes: Implications for the Caribbean Commodity Exporters

Declining commodity prices during mid-2014-2016 posed significant challenges to commodity-exporting economies. The severe terms of trade shock associated with a sharp fall in world commodity prices have raised anew questions about the viability of pegged exchange rate regimes. More recently, the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures needed to contain its spread have been associated with a significant disruption in several economic sectors, in particular, travel, tourism, and hospitality industry, adding to the downward pressure on commodity prices, a sharp fall in foreign exchange earnings, and depressed economic activity in most commodity exporters. This paper reviews country experiences with different exchange rate regimes in coping with commodity price shocks and explores the role of flexible exchange rates as a shock absorber, analyzing the macroeconomic impact of adverse term-of-trade shocks under different regimes using event study and panel vector autoregression techniques. It also analyzes, conceptually and empirically, policy and technical considerations in making exchange rate regime choices and discusses the supporting policies that should accompany a given regime choice to make that choice sustainable. It offers lessons that could be helpful to the Caribbean commodity-exporters.

Analysis of asymmetric response of exchange rate to interest rate differentials: The case of African Big 4

Using the case of four leading African economies, namely Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa, this paper explores the possibility of asymmetric relationship between exchange rate and interest rate differential. In addition, it also tests whether accounting for structural breaks matters for the nexus. The results vary for the four countries based on the choice of exchange rate regime and countries involved in full-fledged floating or managed floating seem to respond more to variations in interest rate differential. Also, accounting for both asymmetries and structural breaks should not be disregarded when modelling this nexus.

Currency areas and voluntary transfers

Fiscal integration is recognized as an important issue in determining whether countries establish a common currency area. Fiscal integration between sovereign states is, however, limited by the ability of countries to commit to fiscal transfers. This paper supposes that fiscal transfers between countries must be voluntary and asks how this influences the choice between a currency area and a flexible exchange rate regime. It presents a model with wage rigidity in which, absent transfers, the flexible exchange rate regime is preferred. If there are transfers that equalize consumption, then the choice of exchange rate regime is irrelevant. Nevertheless, the currency area may be preferable if transfers are made voluntarily, because the currency area can sustain greater risk sharing. It is shown that the currency area can be optimal for a plausible set of parameter values. We consider the robustness of the conclusions to some modifications of the model.

Exchange rate policy and external vulnerabilities in Sub-Saharan Africa: nominal, real or mixed targeting?

ABSTRACT This paper discusses the theoretical choice of exchange rate regimes in Sub-Saharan African countries that are facing external vulnerabilities. To reduce instability, policymakers choose among promoting external competitiveness using a real anchor, lowering the burden of foreign debt using a nominal anchor or using a policy mix of both anchors. We observe that these countries tend to adopt mixed anchor policies. We solve a state space model to explain the determinants of and the strategy behind this policy. We find that the mixed targeting policy is a two-step strategy: First, monetary authorities choose the degree of nominal exchange rate flexibility according to the velocity of money, trade openness, foreign debt, degree of exchange rate pass-through and exchange rate target zone. Second, authorities seek to stabilize the real exchange rate depending on the degree of competition in the domestic goods market and the degree of foreign exchange intervention. We conclude with regime-switching estimations to provide empirical evidence of how these economic fundamentals influence exchange rate policy in Sub-Saharan Africa.

A Risk-based Theory of Exchange Rate Stabilization

We develop a novel, risk-based theory of the effects of exchange rate stabilization. In our model, the choice of exchange rate regime allows policymakers to make their currency, and by extension, the firms in their country, a safer investment for international investors. Policies that induce a country's currency to appreciate when the marginal utility of international investors is high lower the required rate of return on the country's currency and increase the world-market value of domestic firms. Applying this logic to exchange rate stabilizations, we find a small economy stabilizing its bilateral exchange rate relative to a larger economy can increase domestic capital accumulation, domestic wages, and even its share in world wealth. In the absence of policy coordination, small countries optimally choose to stabilize their exchange rates relative to the currency of the largest economy in the world, which endogenously emerges as the world's “anchor currency.” Larger economies instead optimally choose to oat their exchange rates. The model therefore predicts an equilibrium pattern of exchange rate arrangements that is remarkably similar to the one in the data.

Relationships between exchange rate regime, real exchange rate volatility and currency structure of government bonds in emerging markets

Abstract Public foreign currency borrowing is a common problem of emerging markets. Scholars named it the original sin of foreign debt. It has a proven negative influence on economic growth and development, undermining financial stability, and increasing the probability of monetary crises. The roots of the original sin often lay in emerging markets’ institutional underdevelopment, with low-quality monetary policy, inappropriate exchange rate regime choice, and exchange rate mismanagement being stated among the most important causes. This paper evaluates the influence of the exchange rate policy on the emission of foreign currency sovereign bonds in emerging markets. The relationship is estimated using panel data and GMM approach, with exchange rate regime type (both de jure and de facto) and real exchange rate volatility serving as explanatory variables. The findings reveal that fixed exchange rate regime and high real exchange rate volatility is promoting the foreign currency borrowing. Thus countries that want to reduce the burden of the original sin should lean towards a more flexible exchange rate policy while maintaining their real exchange rate stable.

Is There a Link Between the Exchange Rate Regime and Export Diversification in ECOWAS Countries?

The choice of exchange rate regimes remains an important but controversial issue in developing countries that remain open to the rest of the world and whose exports depend on primary products. The objective of this paper is to analyse the effect of the exchange rate regime on export diversification of ECOWAS countries. To do this, we adopted an empirical investigation based on a regression of a linear panel data model of 10 ECOWAS countries over the period 1990 to 2014 using the IV-2SLS estimation technique. Our results mainly indicate that the fixed exchange rate regime is significantly conducive to export diversification in ECOWAS countries. In the light of these results, in order to improve export diversification, the governments of these countries need to undertake policies aimed at maintaining the stability of their national currencies vis-à-vis foreign currencies through an appropriate exchange rate policy.

State dependence and exchange rate regime choice: a new empirical explanation to the polarization phenomenon

This paper, using the dynamic multinomial choice random effect panel Logit model, and focusing on the intermediate exchange rate regimes, tries to provide new empirical explanations to the special polarization phenomenon. The main findings are as follows: Firstly, the state dependence can influence the choice of exchange rate regimes greatly, and the state dependence can explain the phenomenon of the special polarization. Secondly, the non-state dependence factors influence exchange rate regimes choice of different development stage economies in different manner. The non-state dependence factors can also explain the special polarization. Thirdly, the policy makers will choose the less-flexible exchange rate regimes with the increasing of capital account openness. The intermediate exchange rate regimes can survive and stabilize the economy under certain conditions. Lastly, this paper draws a series of important conclusions and policy implications.

National culture and the choice of exchange rate regime

Based on the social analysis framework of Williamson, we argue that national culture – especially the individualism/collectivism dimension – located in the social embeddedness level can guide behaviors and decisions in a country, including the choice of exchange rate regime. We argue that individualistic societies are more likely to choose floating regimes because their economic agents are independent, overconfident, and have higher levels of risk tolerance. Individualistic societies are also associated with better financial development, fewer capital controls, and more democratic institutions, which are all tied to a higher probability of choosing a floating exchange rate regime. We use data on 78 countries over the 1976–2014 period, and we control for common determinants of exchange rate regimes. We find that individualistic countries have a significantly higher probability of implementing a floating regime than a fixed regime. Our evidence is robust to using an instrumental variables approach, an alternative estimation technique, an alternative regime classification, alternative proxies for culture, a subsample analysis, and additional controls. We also find that other cultural dimensions (uncertainty avoidance, power distance, and masculinity) can influence the choice of exchange rate regime, but their effect is weaker than that of individualism.

Remittances, monetary institutions, and autocracies

ABSTRACTHow do remittances affect the choice of exchange rate regimes? Previous research shows that remittances, by easing the ‘impossible trinity’, increase the probability of governments adopting fixed exchange rates. However, that research overlooks the conditioning effect of monetary and political institutions. We argue that remittances, by altering recipient governments’ incentives to use monetary policy counter-cyclically, make central bank independence a credible anti-inflationary tool in less credible regimes; that is, autocracies. Thus, autocracies that receive remittances do not need to rely on fixed exchange rates. In this way, remittances open policy alternatives for developing autocracies. Statistical tests on a sample of 87 developing and transitional countries between 1980 and 2010 support our argument.