The International Monetary System

This 1994 book is a collection of essays by some of the most authoritative economists and policymakers on the international monetary system.

Peter B. Kenen (Edited by), Francesco Papadia (Edited by), Fabrizio Saccomanni (Edited by)

9780521467292, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 13 October 1994

366 pages, 26 tables
22.8 x 15.3 x 2 cm, 0.54 kg

In the two decades prior to publication of this 1994 book, international monetary relations had been characterised by latent instability, and then by severe tensions. Yet the issue of reforming the international monetary system does not appear on the agenda of the policy makers of the major countries involved. The International Monetary System tries to analyse this apparent contradiction. It brings together contributions from some of the most authoritative academic economists and monetary officials, and examines each of the fundamental functions of the international monetary system. There is broad support for improving present monetary arrangements with the aim of ensuring more stable conditions in monetary and financial markets and of promoting the orderly adjustment of payments disequilibria. For political reasons a fully-fledged reform exercise is unlikely, but very few experts seem to like the status quo. This book provides the reader with a comprehensive account of the institutional and policy changes required to manage an increasingly integrated and interdependent global monetary and financial system.

Foreword Carlo A. Ciampi
Introduction Peter B. Kenen, Francesco Papadia and Fabrizio Saccomanni
Part I. Overview of the Issues: Retrospects and Prospects: 1. The international monetary issues of the Bretton Woods era Jacques J. Polak
2. Significant episodes in the evolution of the international monetary system Guido Carli
Discussion Robert Z. Aliber and Fred C. Bergsten
Part II. International Liquidity: 3. The rise and fall of international liquidity John Williamson
Discussion Rainer S. Masera and Robert A. Mundell
4. The role of market and official channels in the supply of international liquidity Andrew Crockett
Discussion Robert D. Hormats and Stefano Micossi
5. High world interest rates: shortage of saving or liquidity? William H. Branson
Discussion Marcello de Cecco and Alexandre Swoboda
Part III. Exchange Rates: 6. Floating exchange rates reconsidered: the influence of new ideas, priorities and problems Peter B. Kenen
Discussion Giancarlo Gandolfo and Ronald McKinnon
7. The credibility of adjustable parities: the experience of the European Monetary System Zhaohui Chen and Alberto Giovannini
Discussion Luigi Spaventa and Niels Thygesen
8. Concerted interventions and the dollar: an analysis of daily data Pietro Catte, Giampaolo Galli and Salvatore Rebecchini
Discussion Giorgio Basevi, Jeffrey A. Frankel and Edwin M. Truman
Part IV. The Framework for International Economic Policy: 9. Economic performance under alternative exchange rate regimes: some historical evidence Tamim Bayoumi and Barry Eichengreen
10. Improving economic policy coordination: evaluating some new and some not-so-new proposals Morris Goldstein
Discussion Richard N. Cooper, Lamberto Dini, Leonhard Gleske, Toyoo Gyohten and Jacques de Larosière.

Subject Areas: International finance [KCLF]