Both theory and the empirical evidence for a broad range of countries have identified a negative relationship between domestic and foreign saving. Still, based on the experience of the 1990s, a popular view has emerged that domestic and foreign saving are positively related in Asia and...

This paper discusses the economic performance of Latin America in the last decade, paying special attention to growth and the financial sector. In particular, it shows that external factors, such as like U.S. interest rates and the business cycle, play a key role in capital inflows, investment,...

At the time of writing there were widespread concerns about the health of the U.S. economy. There is conclusive evidence that the pace of growth has slowed, which has prompted the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates on two occasions (a total of 100 basis points thus far). As usual, when faced...

We use a panel dataset on industrial employment and trade for 9 Latin American countries for which liability dollarization data at the industrial level is available. We test whether real exchange rate fluctuations have a significant impact on employment, and analyze whether the impact varies...

We develop a framework to study the effects of policies of uncertain duration onconsumption dynamics under both complete and incomplete markets. We focus on the dynamicimplications of market incompleteness, specifically on the lack of state-contingent bonds. Twopolicies are considered: pure...

In this paper we present evidence that capital account reversals have become more severe foremerging markets. Because policy options are limited in the midst of a capital market crisisand because so many countries have already had crises recently, we focus on some of thepolicies that could...

In recent years, many countries have suffered severe financial crises, producing a staggering tollon their economies, particularly in emerging markets. One view blames fixed exchange rates--“soft pegs”--for these meltdowns. Adherents to that view advise countries to allow theircurrency to...

Exchange-rate-based inflation stabilization programs cause a sizable loss of inflation tax revenue and thus open a fiscal gap. The stabilization literature usually assumes that this gap can be closed by raising lump-sum (nondistortionary) taxes and/or cutting lump-sum transfers. As such policies...

Mexico’s financial debacle and its impact on other emerging markets (the Tequila effect)has raised many fundamental questions. Mexico achieved fiscal balance in 1993, undertookseveral fundamental market-oriented reforms, signed a free trade agreement with a very largemarket (the NAFTA), became...

I was invited here to explain about Dollarization, the benefits and costs for the US and thecountries that adopt it. Before I start my formal presentation, I would like to state, in nouncertain terms, that I am a firm supporter of such system for many Emerging Market economies,EM, especially if...