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The costs and benefits of fixed dollar exchange rates in Latin America

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  • Darryl McLeod
  • John H. Welch

Abstract

Chronic inflation and the importance of the exchange rate as a nominal anchor for the domestic price level have led some Latin American countries to consider returning to a fixed dollar exchange rate. John Welch and Darryl McLeod examine the costs and benefits of real exchange rate movements and their relevance for the credibility of inflation policies in countries now contemplating free trade agreements with the United States. ; The authors discuss the experiences of several Latin American countries and describe the problem their policy-makers face when deciding to follow either fixed or flexible exchange rate rules. Fixed exchange rates that are credible can decrease inflation rates, but only at the cost of policy flexibility in the face of adverse changes in the terms of trade or foreign interest rates. The current relative stability of international markets has led some Latin American countries to complement their stabilization and reform policies with fixed exchange rates.

Suggested Citation

  • Darryl McLeod & John H. Welch, 1993. "The costs and benefits of fixed dollar exchange rates in Latin America," Economic and Financial Policy Review, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, issue Jan, pages 31-44.
  • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedder:y:1993:i:jan:p:31-44
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Carlos F. Diaz Alejandro, 1963. "A Note on the Impact of Devaluation and the Redistributive Effect," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 71(6), pages 577-577.
    2. Obstfeld, Maurice, 1997. "Destabilizing effects of exchange-rate escape clauses," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 43(1-2), pages 61-77, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. William C. Gruben & Darryl McLeod, 2004. "Currency competition and inflation convergence," Center for Latin America Working Papers 0204, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.
    2. William C. Gruben & Darryl McLeod, 2001. "Capital account liberalization and disinflation in the 1990s," Center for Latin America Working Papers 0101, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.
    3. Welch, John H., 1996. "Capital flows and economic growth: Reflections on Latin America in the 1990s," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 36(Supplemen), pages 101-114.

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