IMF Staff Papers, Volume 57, No. 1

IMF Staff Papers, Volume 57, No. 1 PDF

Author: International Monetary Fund. Research Dept.

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 2010-03-26

Total Pages: 288

ISBN-13: 1589069110

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Do highly indebted countries suffer from a debt overhang? Can debt relief foster their growth rates? To answer these important questions, this article looks at how the debt-growth relation varies with indebtedness levels, as well as with the quality of policies and institutions, in a panel of developing countries. The main findings are that, in countries with good policies and institutions, there is evidence of debt overhang when the net present value of debt rises above 20–25 percent of GDP; however, debt becomes irrelevant above 70–80 percent. In countries with bad policies and institutions, thresholds appear to be lower, but the evidence of debt overhang is weaker and we cannot rule out that debt is always irrelevant. Indeed, in such countries, as well as in countries with high indebtedness levels, investment does not depend on debt levels. The analysis suggests that not all countries are likely to profit from debt relief, and thus that a one-size-fits-all debt relief approach might not be the most appropriate one.

IMF Staff Papers, Volume 57, No. 2

IMF Staff Papers, Volume 57, No. 2 PDF

Author: International Monetary Fund. Research Dept.

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 2010-06-29

Total Pages: 244

ISBN-13: 1589069129

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This paper introduces a new database of financial reforms covering 91 economies over 1973-2005. It describes the content of the database, the information sources utilized, and the coding rules used to create an index of financial reform. It also compares the database with other measures of financial liberalization, provides descriptive statistics, and discusses some possible applications. The database provides a multifaceted measure of reform, covering seven aspects of financial sector policy. Along each dimension the database provides a graded (rather than a binary) score, and allows for reversals.

IMF Staff papers

IMF Staff papers PDF

Author: International Monetary Fund. Research Dept.

Publisher: INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND

Published: 1987-01-01

Total Pages: 194

ISBN-13: 9781463915476

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IMF Staff papers

IMF Staff papers PDF

Author: International Monetary Fund. Research Dept.

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published:

Total Pages: 193

ISBN-13: 145195624X

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From the Foreword to the first issue: “Among the responsibilities of the International Monetary Fund, as set forth in the Articles of Agreement, is the obligation to ‘act as a center for the collection and exchange of information on monetary and financial problems,’ and thereby to facilitate ‘the preparation of studies designed to assist members in developing policies which further the purposes of the Fund.’ The publications of the Fund are one way in which this responsibility is discharged. “Through the publication of Staff Papers, the Fund is making available some of the work of members of its staff. The Fund believes that these papers will be found helpful by government officials, by professional economists, and by others concerned with monetary and financial problems. Much of what is now presented is quite provisional. On some international monetary problems, final and definitive views are scarcely to be expected in the near future, and several alternative, or even conflicting, approaches may profitably be explored. The views presented in these papers are not, therefore, to be interpreted as necessarily indicating the position of the Executive Board or of the officials of the Fund.” The authors of the papers in this issue have received considerable assistance from their colleagues on the staff of the Fund. This general statement of indebtedness may be accepted in place of a detailed list of acknowledgments. Subscription: US$6.00 a volume or the approximate equivalent in the currencies of most countries. Three numbers constitute a volume. Single copies may be purchased at $2.50. Special rate to university libraries, faculty members, and students: $3.00 a volume; $1.00 a single copy. Subscriptions and orders should be sent to: THE SECRETARY International Monetary Fund 19th and H Streets, N.W. Washington, D. C. 20431

IMF Staff papers

IMF Staff papers PDF

Author: International Monetary Fund. Research Dept.

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 1986-01-01

Total Pages: 196

ISBN-13: 1451946953

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WILLIAM. white, who joined the International Monetary Fund in 1948, spent his entire professional life in the Research Department. Present and past staff members, many of whom benefited from his advice, have asked that his contribution-to the work of the Fund should receive recognition in Staff Papers. This appreciation draws on excerpts from written recollections of some of his colleagues.

IMF Staff Papers, Volume 56, No. 1

IMF Staff Papers, Volume 56, No. 1 PDF

Author: International Monetary Fund. Research Dept.

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 2009-06-01

Total Pages: 248

ISBN-13: 1589067940

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This special issue brings together world-renowned experts to provide a systematic and critical analysis of the costs and benefits of financial globalization. Contributors include Kenneth Rogoff, Maurice Obstfeld, Dani Rodrik, and Frederic S. Mishkin.

IMF Staff Papers, Volume 56, No. 4

IMF Staff Papers, Volume 56, No. 4 PDF

Author: International Monetary Fund. Research Dept.

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 2009-11-04

Total Pages: 296

ISBN-13: 1589069102

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This paper empirically evaluates four types of costs that may result from an international sovereign default: reputational costs, international trade exclusion costs, costs to the domestic economy through the financial system, and political costs to the authorities. It finds that the economic costs are generally significant but short-lived, and sometimes do not operate through conventional channels. The political consequences of a debt crisis, by contrast, seem to be particularly dire for incumbent governments and finance ministers, broadly in line with what happens in currency crises.

IMF Staff Papers

IMF Staff Papers PDF

Author: International Monetary Fund. Research Dept.

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 1950-01-01

Total Pages: 184

ISBN-13: 1451959990

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This paper highlights various problems and policies related to latent inflation. Disappointment will undoubtedly be widespread if, after 10 years of inflation control, latent inflation is permitted to become active and there is a considerable rise in prices. It is not unlikely that some governments will feel they simply cannot accept such a policy. However, the prospect of wiping out or working off latent inflation in any moderate period is very slight. There is every reason to deal with the latent inflation as far as possible by absorbing it through taxation and by measures to reduce liquidity. At the same time, with increased output it should be possible to work off part of the latent inflation. Even if it becomes generally recognized that all or most of such inflation cannot be wiped out or worked off, its immediate activation may be unwise. At some stage soon, governments must face the difficulties presented by latent inflation and recognize that a comprehensive program for dealing with it must be put into effect. Unless such programs are adopted, there can be no great confidence that international payments problems can be solved simply by imposing more rigorous and more extensive controls.

IMF Staff Papers, Volume 50, No. 2

IMF Staff Papers, Volume 50, No. 2 PDF

Author: Mr.Robert P. Flood

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 2003-07-11

Total Pages: 172

ISBN-13: 9781589062023

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This paper examines sources of economic growth in East Asia. The conventional growth-accounting approach to estimating the sources of economic growth requires unrealistically strong assumptions about either competitiveness of factor markets or the form of the underlying aggregate production function. The paper outlines a new approach utilizing nonparametric derivative estimation techniques that does not require imposing these restrictive assumptions. The results for East Asian countries show that output elasticities of capital and labor tend to be different from the income shares of these factors. The paper also explores the compensating potential of private intergenerational transfers.

IMF Staff papers

IMF Staff papers PDF

Author: International Monetary Fund. Research Dept.

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 1975-01-01

Total Pages: 281

ISBN-13: 1451956401

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This paper provides a survey of some major issues of incomes policy rather than an evaluation of individual countries' policies. It seeks to highlight and explain the changing emphasis of such policies in the three periods when they were widely adopted. After the War, incomes policies were implemented in several European countries, in the context of scarcities of goods and shortage of foreign exchange. Policies involving a considerable element of compulsion were then associated with other restrictions, such as direction of labor and rationing. At current high rates of inflation and of unemployment, there is growing recognition of the threat that inflation poses to political and economic institutions. Although the recent results of incomes policy have not been striking, present circumstances may be more conducive for success. Experience suggests that incomes policy may be most effective in restraining wage and price increases under conditions of less than full employment.