Evolution Of The International And Regional Monetary Systems

The papers in this book cover the wide range of Robert Triffin's expertise. For example, Jacques Larosire interprets the evolution of the international monetary system. Michel Aglietta critically appraises the international monetary system and suggests the present system is one that does not constrain domestic policy choices. The desirability, scope and means of policy co-ordination are analyzed in the contributions by James Tobin, Robert Solomon, John Williamson, Alexandre Lamfalussy and Wolfgang Rieke. Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa discusses the possible paths to European Monetary Union whilst Alfred Steinherr and Jacques Girard evaluate the past and future evolution of the ECU. Paul De Grauwe provides empirical answers to the highly debated question whether the EMS is a DM-zone.

"A Halsted Press book."Includes index. Bibliography: p. [244]-245.

This book purports to examine in-depth the historical evolution of the International Monetary System starting with the “Classical Gold Standard System” that was adopted by various governments around the world between the years of 1880-1914. Following the inception of the “Inter-war Period” which took place between 1918-1939, the Classical Gold Standard System was abandoned. It was only after the post-WWII period that this standard was restored only for a short-period of time until the emergence of the “Bretton Woods System” between 1944-1971 which completely replaced the gold standard system with the U.S. dollar. It is also within the scope of this book to analyze the emerging monetary policy trends following the establishment of the Bretton Woods System that brought about the creation of the International Monetary Fund (the IMF) and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) to assist member countries with restoring their balance-of-payments equilibrium through the enactment of fixed exchange rates currency regime and through credit lending to poor countries in need.