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Price and monetary convergence in currency unions: The franc and rand zones

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  • Honohan, Patrick

Abstract

Theory suggests that a currency union will impose significant macroeconomic disciplines on its members. This paper examines the two main surviving currency zones - the franc and rand zones in Africa - to learn whether and to what extent certain generally accepted theory is confirmed by the data. As with most fixed exchange rate systems, the African currency unions have a dominant or"core"member - France in the franc zone and the Republic of South Africa in the rand zone. This report focuses on the small members at the periphery, for whom inflation and interest rates are assumed to be imported from the core. On the whole, the facts support the following generally accepted theory. Price levels converge, at least for tradable goods. The pattern of consumer price inflation is determined largely by core country inflation in the long run, although convergence is slow. The limited evidence available suggests that uncontrolled interest rates also converge to core country levels. Finally, in most cases expansion of domestic credit in one small country spills over into its balance of payments rather than generating local inflation.
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Suggested Citation

  • Honohan, Patrick, 1992. "Price and monetary convergence in currency unions: The franc and rand zones," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 11(4), pages 397-410, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:jimfin:v:11:y:1992:i:4:p:397-410
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    Cited by:

    1. Elbadawi, Ibrahim & Majd, Nader, 1996. "Adjustment and economic performance under a fixed exchange rate: A comparative analysis of the CFA zone," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 24(5), pages 939-951, May.
    2. Boccara, Bruno & Devarajan, Shantayanan, 1993. "Determinants of inflation among franc zone countries in Africa," Policy Research Working Paper Series 1197, The World Bank.
    3. Giorgioni, Gianluigi & Holden, Ken, 2002. "The crisis of the CFA Franc zone: the case of Cote d'Ivoire," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 19(4), pages 531-564, August.
    4. Elbadawi, Ibrahim & Majd, Nader, 1992. "Fixed parity of the exchange rate and economic performance in the CFA zone : a comparative study," Policy Research Working Paper Series 830, The World Bank.
    5. Chamley, Christophe & Honohan, Patrick, 1990. "Taxation of financial intermediation : measurement principles and application to five African countries," Policy Research Working Paper Series 421, The World Bank.
    6. Savvides, Andreas, 1998. "Inflation and monetary policy in selected West and Central African countries," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 26(5), pages 809-827, May.
    7. Nchake, Mamello A. & Edwards, Lawrence & Rankin, Neil, 2018. "Closer monetary union and product market integration in emerging economies: Evidence from the Common Monetary Area in Southern Africa," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 154-164.
    8. Chhibber, Ajay, 1991. "Africa's rising inflation : causes, consequences, and cures," Policy Research Working Paper Series 577, The World Bank.
    9. Ms. Iyabo Masha & Mr. Leighton S Harris & Mr. Jian-Ye Wang & Ms. Kazuko Shirono, 2007. "The Common Monetary Area in Southern Africa: Shocks, Adjustment, and Policy Challenges," IMF Working Papers 2007/158, International Monetary Fund.

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