Gathering together the papers presented at the Madrid Conference on Optimum Currency Areas in 1970 this volume represents one of the first complete surveys of the theory and policy implication of monetary integration. The book discusses:
the economics of fixed exchange rates relevant to monetary relations within an integrated monetary area
the evolution of economic doctrine and a survey of optimum currency area theory
problems of policy co-ordination within a currency area
relevance of the monetary-fiscal policy mix
problems of monetary union in developing countries
the book predicted the establishment of an European currency but presented the case for greater flexibility of exchange rates as an alternative to currency unification.
Contents
Foreword Robert A Mundell Participants Introduction Harry G Johnson and Alexander K Swoboda Part 1: The Economics of Fixed Exchange Rates 1. Two Arguments for Fixed Rates Arthur B Laffer Comments Gottfried Haberler, Bela Balassa 2. The Flexibility of the Gold-Exchange Standard and Its Limits Jürg Niehans 3. The Price-Specie-Flow Mechanism and the Gold Exchange Standard: Some Exploratory Empiricism Relating to the Endogeneity of Country Money Balances Thomas J Courchene 4. The Dual Currency System Revisited Ronald I McKinnon Part 2: The Economics of Common Currency Areas 5. Some Early Views on Monetary Integration Thomas Guggenheim 6. The Theory of Optimum Regional Associations Herbert G Grubel 7. Uncommon Arguments for Common Currencies Robert A Mundell 8. Policy Conflict, Inconsistent Goals and the Co-ordination of Economic Policies Alexander K Swoboda 9. A Plan for a European Currency Robert A Mundell Comment Bela Balassa 10. The Impact of External Markets for National Currencies on Central Bank Reserves Robert Z Aliber 11. Joint Balance: Capital Mobility and the Monetary system of a Currency Area Sven W Arndt 12. Optimum Currency Areas and Latin America Alexandre Kafka Part 3: The Economics of Flexible Exchan 13. The US Balance of Payments: Freedom or Controls Gottfried Haberler 14. Flexing the International Monetary System: The Case for Gliding Parities Richard N Cooper 15. Specific Proposal for Limited Exchange Rate Flexibility William Fellner 16. Flexible Exchange Rates and Traded Goods Prices: The Role of Oligopoly Pricing in the Canadian Experience Robert M Dunn, Jr. 17. The Optimal Rate of Devaluation Ruben Almonacid Manuel Guitian. Index
Author Bio
Multivolume collection by leading authors in the field
