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Optimum Currency Area Theory: A Framework for Discussion about Monetary Integration

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  • Horvath, Roman
  • Komarek, Lubos

Abstract

The optimum currency area (OCA) theory tries to answer an almost prohibitively difficult question: what is the optimal number of currencies to be used in one region. The difficulty of the question leads to a low operational precision of OCA theory. Therefore, we argue that the OCA theory is a framework for discussion about monetary integration. We summarize theoretical issues from the classical contributions to the OCA literature in the 1960s to the modern “endogenous view”. A short survey of empirical studies on the OCA theory in the connection with the EMU and the Czech Republic is presented. Finally, we calculate OCA-indexes for the Czech Republic, EU, Germany and Portugal. The index predicts exchange rates variability from the view of traditional OCA criteria and asseses benefit-cost ratio of implementing common currency for a pair of the countries. We compare the structural similarity of the Czech Republic and Portugal to the German economy and find that the Czech economy is closer. The results are reversed when the EU economy is considered as a benchmark country.

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  • Horvath, Roman & Komarek, Lubos, 2002. "Optimum Currency Area Theory: A Framework for Discussion about Monetary Integration," Economic Research Papers 269460, University of Warwick - Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:uwarer:269460
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.269460
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jarko Fidrmuc, 2004. "The Endogeneity of the Optimum Currency Area Criteria, Intra‐industry Trade, and EMU Enlargement," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 22(1), pages 1-12, January.
    2. Horvath, Roman & Komárek, Luboš, 2002. "Optimum Currency Area Theory : An Approach For Thinking About Monetary Integration," The Warwick Economics Research Paper Series (TWERPS) 647, University of Warwick, Department of Economics.
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    7. Horvath, Roman & Komarek, Lubos, 2002. "Optimum Currency Area Theory: A Framework for Discussion about Monetary Integration," Economic Research Papers 269460, University of Warwick - Department of Economics.
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    10. repec:zbw:bofitp:2001_008 is not listed on IDEAS
    11. Bayoumi, Tamim & Eichengreen, Barry, 1996. "Operationalizing the Theory of Optimum Currency Areas," CEPR Discussion Papers 1484, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    12. Schweickert, Rainer, 2001. "Assessing the advantages of EMU-enlargement for the EU and the accession countries: a comparative indicator approach," Kiel Working Papers 1080, Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel).
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    Cited by:

    1. Abban, Stanley & Ofori-Abebrese, Grace, 2019. "The Prospect Of ECOWAS Currency Union On Intra-Regional Trade," MPRA Paper 102226, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Pucar Emilija Beker & Glavaški Olgica, 2019. "Macroeconomic Еxternal (Im)Balances within the Eurozone: Core Vs Periphery," Economic Themes, Sciendo, vol. 57(3), pages 257-272, September.
    3. Horvath, Roman & Komarek, Lubos, 2002. "Optimum Currency Area Theory: A Framework for Discussion about Monetary Integration," Economic Research Papers 269460, University of Warwick - Department of Economics.
    4. Horvath, Julius, 2003. "Optimum currency area theory: A selective review," BOFIT Discussion Papers 15/2003, Bank of Finland Institute for Emerging Economies (BOFIT).
    5. Wei Song & Weiyue Wang, 2009. "Asian currency union? An investigation into China's membership with other Asian countries," Journal of Chinese Economic and Business Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 7(4), pages 457-476.
    6. Krzysztof Beck, 2013. "Structural Similarity as a Determinant of Business Cycle Synchronization in the European Union: A Robust Analysis," Research in Economics and Business: Central and Eastern Europe, Tallinn School of Economics and Business Administration, Tallinn University of Technology, vol. 5(2).

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