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Addicted to Dollars

Author

Listed:
  • Carmen M. Reinhart

    (Harvard University)

  • Kenneth S. Rogoff

    (Harvard University)

  • Miguel A. Savastano

    (International Monetary Fund)

Abstract

Many emerging market economies are dollarized in varying degrees. How important is this for the conduct of monetary policy and choice of exchange rate regime? We propose a composite measure of dollarization, identify its major trends, and ascertain its impact on the effectiveness of monetary and exchange rate policy. We find that, contrary to the presumption in the literature, a high degree of dollarization does not pose an obstacle to monetary control or to disinflation. A high level of dollarization does appear to increase exchange rate pass-through, reinforcing the claim that "fear of floating" is a greater problem for highly dollarized economies.

Suggested Citation

  • Carmen M. Reinhart & Kenneth S. Rogoff & Miguel A. Savastano, 2014. "Addicted to Dollars," Annals of Economics and Finance, Society for AEF, vol. 15(1), pages 1-50, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:cuf:journl:y:2014:v:15:i:1:reinhart:rogoff:savastano
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Dollarization; Inflation; Exchange rates; External debt;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E42 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Monetary Sytsems; Standards; Regimes; Government and the Monetary System
    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy
    • F40 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - General

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