The Real Rebalancing

Since the Asian Financial Crisis (AFC) of 1997–98 large current account surpluses have accumulated in the countries of Asia and the Pacific with corresponding deficits elsewhere. The sharp plunge in global trade volumes during the global financial crisis has highlighted the need for ‘rebalancing’–focussing more on domestic sources of economic growth than on exports in some Asian economies. One key objective of the book is to elucidate the economic structures and policies that give rise to current account surpluses and imbalances and consider what policy adjustments could change them. Another objective is to show the link between financial systems, financial integration and the transmission of economic shocks between countries. The book offers new dimensions to understand ‘rebalancing’ and provides alternative and arguably more fundamental solutions to address imbalances. Rather than focusing on exchange rate misalignment, this book begins from the premise that the imbalances are a macroeconomic problem that reflects a mismatch between savings and investment in the surplus countries. Then, it examines exchange rate policies adopted by countries in the region and finds that part of the explanation for their currency strategy lies in their perceived need to build foreign exchange reserves to provide a buffer in case of instabilities. The book examines whether there are other possibilities for countries to insure against economic volatility by more actively and openly engaging with international capital markets. The studies show that closer financial integration, involving more open financial markets, with well-chosen partners, would be welfare-improving and should reduce the need for the counter-productive, self-insurance policies that result in foreign exchange accumulation.

The purpose of this electronic book is to provide policymakers and their advisers with up-to-date, comprehensive analyses of the central facets of global economic imbalances and to identify and evaluate potential national and systemic responses to this challenge. To break down the many facets of this collective economic challenge, leading experts were asked to address one of the following policy-relevant questions. 1. How large are contemporary current account imbalances? Why do they persist? 2. What are the systemic costs of imbalances? 3. What are the lessons from previous attempts to rebalance the global economy? 4. What would rebalancing entail? Which policies must change? Is collective action needed? 5. What is the political viability of proposals to rebalance national economies? 6. Are new system-wide accords needed to promote rebalancing or to discourage persistent imbalances? www.voxeu.org/reports/global_imbalances.pdf

In the wake of the global financial crisis, leading industrialized countries have managed to show only a gradual recovery, while East Asian economies have surged ahead. In particular, China achieved growth in excess of 10% in 2010 and is expected to continue growing at a rapid pace. It appears that in the coming years, East Asia will play an even greater role as a growth center leading global economic expansion. Following the Asian currency crisis of 1997–98, consumption and investment in the region decreased considerably, and East Asian economies recovered on the strength of exports. Presently, however, amid a less-than-robust recovery in the US and Europe, the sustainability of East Asia's reliance on export-led growth has been called into question. The region's transition to growth based on a balance of foreign and domestic demand is important for both building a stronger foundation for sustainable growth and buttressing global economic expansion. Moreover, the rebalancing of demand in East Asia holds the key to rectifying global current account imbalances — the disadvantage of uneven international capital flows. This unique volume illuminates policy issues involved in the efforts to promote the rebalancing of demand in East Asia. Contents:Decoupling — A Re-Examination (Hiroshi Tsubouchi and Hideaki Matsuoka)Business Cycle Synchronization and Production Fragmentation in East Asia (Fumihide Takeuchi)Financial Market Linkage in East Asian Countries (Kyosuke Shiotani and Yoichi Matsubayashi)The Impact of East Asian FTAS on the Structure of Demand (Hikari Ban)Inflation Targeting in South Korea, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand: The Impact on Business Cycle Synchronization Between Each Country and the World (Takeshi Inoue, Yuki Toyoshima and Shigeyuki Hamori)Globalization and Economic Growth in East Asia (Fengbao Yin and Shigeyuki Hamori)Can South–South Trade Be a Driving Force for Future Economic Growth? (Shigesaburo Kabe)An Empirical Analysis of the Determinants of Household Saving (Consumption) in China: A Panel Analysis of Provincial Data, 1995–2010 (Guifu Chen)Financing Infrastructure Construction in China (Long Ke)Is the Renminbi Appreciating Fast Enough? (Takuji Kinkyo) Readership: Researchers and the general public who are interested in the future development of South East Asia. Keywords:Rebalancing Demand;East Asia;Business Cycles Synchronization;Free Trade Agreements;Inflation Targeting;Financial Market Development;China's Household Saving Rates;PFI-Based Infrastructure DevelopmentKey Features:The topic, i.e., Rebalancing Demand in East Asia is a hot issue key to understanding the future development of East AsiaThis volume provides a comprehensive overview with respect to the topic of Rebalancing Demand in East AsiaThis book reviews the current situation of each topic, so that readers can easily understand the materialThis book also empirically analyzes each topic and proposes some policy implications to understand the future development of this region

How trade imbalances spurred on the global financial crisis and why we aren't out of trouble yet China's economic growth is sputtering, the Euro is under threat, and the United States is combating serious trade disadvantages. Another Great Depression? Not quite. Noted economist and China expert Michael Pettis argues instead that we are undergoing a critical rebalancing of the world economies. Debunking popular misconceptions, Pettis shows that severe trade imbalances spurred on the recent financial crisis and were the result of unfortunate policies that distorted the savings and consumption patterns of certain nations. Pettis examines the reasons behind these destabilizing policies, and he predicts severe economic dislocations that will have long-lasting effects. Demonstrating how economic policies can carry negative repercussions the world over, The Great Rebalancing sheds urgent light on our globally linked economic future.

This book focuses on global financial systems. After summarising historical financial institutions, it subsequently uses economic and econometrical models to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of these institutions and their role in the history. Readers, especially international readers, will be introduced to prominent Chinese scholars’ ideas and views on these issues. The perspective of this book is, of course, a Chinese one. As such, readers will learn how Chinese people view global financial systems, even those dominated by the West, what they think about future global finance, etc. As such, the book offers intriguing and revealing insights for researchers and a broader readership alike.

A Brookings Institution Press and Asian Development Bank Institute publication Persistently large external imbalances in the world economy contributed to the outbreak of the recent financial crisis. The current account imbalances were particularly severe among the economies that border on the Pacific—the United States ran large deficits, with offsetting surpluses in East Asia. The depth and breadth of the global recession also demonstrated the need for a coordination of national policies to achieve a sustained recovery. While the magnitude of global-trade disruption led to some reduction in the size of the imbalances, closer examination suggests that the progress may prove temporary. On the other hand, significant changes in the underlying patterns of saving and investment suggest that some of the recent rebalancing may prove to be more permanent. Are such imbalances really a problem? If so, why and for whom? What should be done about them—if anything—and what does the future likely hold for transpacific trade relations? In this timely book, Asian and American economists explore those important questions. Copublished with the Asian Development Bank Institute, Transpacific Rebalancing is coedited by Barry Bosworth—long one of the Brookings Institution's leading economic analysts—and Masahiro Kawai, dean of the ADBI. They brought together leading economists from either side of the Pacific to analyze such issues as: • The impact of exchange rates • The policy choices facing the "Asian tigers" • The specifics and effects of trade imbalances in specific countries including the United States, South Korea, Thailand, India, and China Contributors include Hwee Kwan Chow, Susan M. Collins, Barry Eichengreen, Joonkyung Ha, Yping Huang, Ginalyn Komoto, Jong-Wha Lee, Rajiv Kumar, Deunden Nikomborirak, Gisela Rua, Lea Sumulong, Chalongphob Sussankam, Kunyu Tao, Willem Thorbecke, and Pankaj Vashisht.

This book studies the main characteristics of the operation of the Chinese economy and the world economy after the financial crisis in 2008. The analysis starts from the core logic of the dilemma of the anti-crisis and rebalancing growth of the world economy. It further analyzes the impact of major countries' macro-economic policies on the global economy and the external risks and countermeasures faced by the Chinese economy. In addition, this book studies the development of foreign direct investment and the service industry in major countries after the crisis.

Discover the latest essential resource on asset allocation for students and investment professionals. Part of the CFA Institute’s three-volume Portfolio Management in Practice series, Asset Allocation offers a deep, comprehensive ­treatment of the asset allocation process and the underlying theories and markets that support it. As the second volume in the series, Asset Allocation meets the needs of both graduate-level students focused on finance and industry professionals looking to become more dynamic investors. Filled with the insights and industry knowledge of the CFA Institute’s subject matter experts, Asset Allocation effectively blends theory and practice while helping the reader expand their skillsets in key areas of interest. This volume provides complete coverage on the following topics: Setting capital market expectations to support the asset allocation process Principles and processes in the asset allocation process, including handling ESG-integration and client-specific constraints Allocation beyond the traditional asset classes to include allocation to alternative investments The role of exchange-traded funds can play in implementing investment strategies An integrative case study in portfolio management involving a university endowment To further enhance your understanding of tools and techniques explored in Asset Allocation, don’t forget to pick up the Portfolio Management in Practice, Volume 2: Asset Allocation Workbook. The workbook is the perfect companion resource containing learning outcomes, summary overview sections, and challenging practice questions that align chapter-by-chapter with the main text.