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Foreign Debt, Capital Controls, and Secondary Markets: Theory and Evidence from Nazi Germany

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  • Andrea Papadia
  • Claudio A. Schioppa

Abstract

We investigate how internal distribution motives can interfere with the economic objectives of capital controls. In order to do this, we provide a model showing that elite capture can affect optimal debt repatriations and the management of official reserves under capital controls. Relying on these theoretical insights and a wealth of quantitative and qualitative historical evidence, we study one of history’s largest debt repatriations - that of 1930s Germany. We show that the authorities kept private repatriations under strict control, thus avoiding detrimental macroeconomic effects, while allowing discretionary repatriations in order to reap internal political benefits.

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  • Andrea Papadia & Claudio A. Schioppa, 2022. "Foreign Debt, Capital Controls, and Secondary Markets: Theory and Evidence from Nazi Germany," Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin 1992, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:diw:diwwpp:dp1992
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Sovereign risk; capital controls; elite capture; Germany; Nazi regime; foreign debt; secondary markets;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E65 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Studies of Particular Policy Episodes
    • F38 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - International Financial Policy: Financial Transactions Tax; Capital Controls
    • H63 - Public Economics - - National Budget, Deficit, and Debt - - - Debt; Debt Management; Sovereign Debt
    • N24 - Economic History - - Financial Markets and Institutions - - - Europe: 1913-

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