Debates surrounding the adoption of a common currency have focused on its benefits weighed against the long-term costs of losing monetary independence. These debates have assumed that the penalty for not adopting a common currency is the maintenance of the status quo. This paper uses the...

Since 1998, the staff of the International Monetary Fund has published a classification of countries' de facto exchange rate arrangements. Experience in operating this classification system has highlighted a need for changes. The present paper provides information on revisions to the system in...

Since 1998, the staff of the International Monetary Fund has published a classification of countries' de facto exchange rate arrangements. Experience in operating this classification system has highlighted a need for changes. The present paper provides information on revisions to the system in...

Intro -- Contents -- I. INTRODUCTION -- II. OPTIMAL CURRENCY AREA LITERATURE BEFORE 1999 -- III. ESTIMATION METHOD FOR SJAASTAD MODEL -- IV. DATA -- V. ESTIMATION RESULTS -- VI. EUROPEAN ECONOMIES BEFORE AND AFTER THE INTRODUCTION OF THE EURO, AND THE BAYOUMI- EICHENGREEN MODEL -- VII....