International Capital Flows Economic Problems And Policy Implications

Inhaltsangabe:Abstract: This paper deals with three highly controversial aspects in the international finance literature: the degree of international financial integration, the economic impact of capital mobility, and the potential role of capital controls in the emerging international financial architecture. Regarding the first aspect, many observers have been influenced by the recent hype about globalisation and in fact take it for granted that capital markets have become almost fully integrated into a world financial marketplace. This paper, reviews evidence that challenges this conventional wisdom, though confirming that the degree of international financial integration is rising. With respect to the second aspect, it is demonstrated that there are circumstances under which the free flow of international capital could negatively impact upon economic performance and/or otherwise welfare-enhancing domestic policies. This finding conflicts with traditional theory and provides an economic rationale for the judicious introduction of capital controls. With this assertion in mind, the final aspect, the role of capital controls, is investigated. The specific question explored is how far restrictions on international capital flows are able to avert a costly economic imbalance arising from fluctuations in the balance of payments. Although the international consensus seems to have shifted in recent years towards promoting Chilean-style capital controls as a potential new building block in the international financial landscape, this paper cautions against such a generalisation of the Chilean experience. Rather, a review of the empirical literature suggests that much of Chile s economic success story in the last decade can be explained by factors other than its control regime. The rising degree of international financial integration enhances the need for small countries to resolve their dilemma of being dependent on external funding and, at the same time, most vulnerable to sudden reversals of international capital flows. Yet, simple solutions of how to counterbalance the potential threats of capital mobility in a second-best equilibrium, are not found to be easily forthcoming. In particular, this paper argues that capital controls are no panacea even less so, if they delay necessary macro- and microeconomic reforms. A worrying feature of the international financial system, partly due to continued innovations in financial engineering, is that [...]

Diploma Thesis from the year 2000 in the subject Economics - Finance, grade: 1, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, language: English, abstract: This paper deals with three highly controversial aspects in the international finance literature: the degree of international financial integration, the economic impact of capital mobility, and the potential role of capital controls in the emerging international financial architecture. Regarding the first aspect, many observers have been influenced by the recent hype about “globalisation” and in fact take it for granted that capital markets have become almost fully integrated into a world financial marketplace. This paper, reviews evidence that challenges this conventional wisdom, though confirming that the degree of international financial integration is rising. With respect to the second aspect, it is demonstrated that there are circumstances under which the free flow of international capital could negatively impact upon economic performance and/or otherwise welfare-enhancing domestic policies. This finding conflicts with traditional theory and provides an economic rationale for the judicious introduction of capital controls. With this assertion in mind, the final aspect, the role of capital controls, is investigated. The specific question explored is how far restrictions on international capital flows are able to avert a costly economic imbalance arising from fluctuations in the balance of payments. Although the international consensus seems to have shifted in recent years towards promoting Chilean-style capital controls as a potential new building block in the international financial landscape, this paper cautions against such a generalisation of the Chilean experience. Rather, a review of the empirical literature suggests that much of Chile‘s economic success story in the last decade can be explained by factors other than its control regime. The rising degree of international financial integration enhances the need for small countries to resolve their dilemma of being dependent on external funding and, at the same time, most vulnerable to sudden reversals of international capital flows. Yet, simple solutions of how to counterbalance the potential threats of capital mobility in a second-best equilibrium, are not found to be easily forthcoming. In particular, this paper argues that capital controls are no panacea – even less so, if they delay necessary macro- and microeconomic reforms.

The object of this study is to investigate the effects that complete and formal integration of the Canadian with the American capital market would have on the Canadian economy. It is based largely on recent trade statistics, particularly those of the period when the exchange rate floated. In summary, the short- and long-run effects could both be beneficial to Canada. This study is a convenient summary of a longer work by the same authors to be published in 1970.

First published in 1988, this study of international capital movements looks at their historical role in the financing of trade and their dramatically increased role in the world economy in recent years. It examines the current economic theory and the policy implications of these changes. Beginning with an analysis of the balance of payments, the authors goes on to discuss international short-term and long-term capital movements, both historically and with reference to current events. A further chapter deals with financial deregulation and the progression during the last few years towards the integration of international capital markets. The author looks forward to two possible futures for international finance: a gradual federalisation of macro-economic behaviour on a world basis, or a move towards self-reliance and autarky. The book is based on the author's Marshall Lectures, given in the University of Cambridge. It will be of interest to those studying international and financial economies, graduate students and those involved in the formulation of policy.

Recent changes in technology, along with the opening up of many regions previously closed to investment, have led to explosive growth in the international movement of capital. Flows from foreign direct investment and debt and equity financing can bring countries substantial gains by augmenting local savings and by improving technology and incentives. Investing companies acquire market access, lower cost inputs, and opportunities for profitable introductions of production methods in the countries where they invest. But, as was underscored recently by the economic and financial crises in several Asian countries, capital flows can also bring risks. Although there is no simple explanation of the currency crisis in Asia, it is clear that fixed exchange rates and chronic deficits increased the likelihood of a breakdown. Similarly, during the 1970s, the United States and other industrial countries loaned OPEC surpluses to borrowers in Latin America. But when the U.S. Federal Reserve raised interest rates to control soaring inflation, the result was a widespread debt moratorium in Latin America as many countries throughout the region struggled to pay the high interest on their foreign loans. International Capital Flows contains recent work by eminent scholars and practitioners on the experience of capital flows to Latin America, Asia, and eastern Europe. These papers discuss the role of banks, equity markets, and foreign direct investment in international capital flows, and the risks that investors and others face with these transactions. By focusing on capital flows' productivity and determinants, and the policy issues they raise, this collection is a valuable resource for economists, policymakers, and financial market participants.

The currency crises that engulfed East Asian economies in 1997 and Mexico in 1994 - and their high development costs - raise a serious concern about the net benefits for developing countries of large flows of potentially reversible short-term international capital. Written by senior policy-makers and academics, the contributions to this volume examine in depth the macroeconomic and other policy dilemmas confronting public authorities in the emerging economies as they deal with short-term capital movements, especially in the period before the outbreak of these crises. The studies are based on comparative case studies of key emerging economies. Valuable insights are also derived from contrasts between the East Asian, Latin American, African, and European experiences, between the financial and real effects of financial flows, and between private and public responsibilities in managing financial markets. The great value of the chapters in this volume is that they analytically identify the weaknesses in both domestic and international capital market regimes. The recommendations derived from this analysis apply to the development of financial markets in developing countries, the monitoring and regulation of mutual funds in source countries, and the future development of international capital markets. They will make an important contribution both to the discussion of national policies and of a new international financial architechture.

Capital flows to the developing economies have long displayed a boom-and-bust pattern. However, rarely has the cycle turned as abruptly as it did in the 1990s, when the surges in lending were followed by the Mexican peso crisis of 1994-95, and the sudden collapse of currencies in Asia in 1997 and 1998. The volume maps an uncertain financial landscape in which volatile private capital flows and fragile banking systems produce sudden reversals of fortune for governments and economies. This environment creates dilemmas for both national policy-makers who confront the mixed blessing of capital inflows and the international institutions that manage the recurrent crises.