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Managed decline? Muddling through with the sterling (dis)agreements, 1968-74

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Listed:
  • De Bromhead, Alan
  • Jordan, David P.
  • Kennedy, Francis
  • Seddon, Jack

Abstract

How do policy makers manage the decline of an international currency? This paper examines British policy towards the pound sterling's international role in the years 1968-74. Using previously uncited government archival sources, we revisit the view that the 'sterling agreements' of 1968-74, bilateral contracts made between the UK and governments holding sterling, formed a successful paradigm shift in British policy, towards deliberately managing sterling's international 'retirement'. Our research indicates that there was no settled consensus or strategic direction to British policy in this period, a case of 'muddling through'. Indeed, when feasible options presented themselves, British officials sought to maximise, not reduce, international sterling holdings.

Suggested Citation

  • De Bromhead, Alan & Jordan, David P. & Kennedy, Francis & Seddon, Jack, 2023. "Managed decline? Muddling through with the sterling (dis)agreements, 1968-74," QUCEH Working Paper Series 23-09, Queen's University Belfast, Queen's University Centre for Economic History.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:qucehw:202309
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Papaioannou, Elias & Portes, Richard & Siourounis, Gregorios, 2006. "Optimal currency shares in international reserves: The impact of the euro and the prospects for the dollar," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 20(4), pages 508-547, December.
    2. Konstantinos Efstathiou & Francesco Papadia, 2018. "The euro as an international currency," Policy Contributions 28882, Bruegel.
    3. Robert N. McCauley & Catherine R. Schenk, 2015. "Reforming the International Monetary System in the 1970s and 2000s: Would a Special Drawing Right Substitution Account Have Worked?," International Finance, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 18(2), pages 187-206, June.
    4. Eichengreen, Barry & Flandreau, Marc, 2009. "The rise and fall of the dollar (or when did the dollar replace sterling as the leading reserve currency?)," European Review of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 13(3), pages 377-411, December.
    5. Barry Eichengreen & Arnaud Mehl & Livia Chitu, 2017. "How Global Currencies Work: Past, Present, and Future," Economics Books, Princeton University Press, edition 1, number 11124.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Sterling Area Agreements; international currency; sterling policy; disintegration;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • N10 - Economic History - - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics; Industrial Structure; Growth; Fluctuations - - - General, International, or Comparative
    • F02 - International Economics - - General - - - International Economic Order and Integration
    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • F33 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - International Monetary Arrangements and Institutions

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