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The Political Economy of a Diverse Monetary Union

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  • Enrico Perotti

    (University of Amsterdam, CEPRand Tinbergen Institute)

  • Oscar Soons

    (University of Amsterdam and Tinbergen Institute)

Abstract

We analyze the political economy of monetary unification among countries with different quality of institutions. Countries with stronger institutions have lower public spending and better investment incentives, even under a stronger currency. Governments under weaker institutions spend more so must occasionally devalue. In a MU market prices and ows adjust quickly but institutional differences persist, so a diverse monetary union (DMU) has redistributive effects. The government in the weaker country expands spending, and investment may be reduced by the fiscal and common exchange rate effect. Strong country production benefits from the weaker currency but needs to offer fiscal support in a crisis. In equilibrium the required support is incentive compatible due to the devaluation gain. Some governments may join a DMU even if it depresses productive capacity to expand public spending. Even in a DMU beneficial for all countries, firms in weaker countries and savers in stronger countries may lose.

Suggested Citation

  • Enrico Perotti & Oscar Soons, 2020. "The Political Economy of a Diverse Monetary Union," ECONtribute Discussion Papers Series 010, University of Bonn and University of Cologne, Germany.
  • Handle: RePEc:ajk:ajkdps:010
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    2. Xuan Wang, 2019. "When Do Currency Unions Benefit From Default ?," 2019 Papers pwa938, Job Market Papers.
    3. Xuan Wang, 2021. "Bankruptcy Codes and Risk Sharing of Currency Unions," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 21-009/IV, Tinbergen Institute.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Monetary unions; institutional quality; fiscal union; political economy; fiscaltransfers;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • O47 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Empirical Studies of Economic Growth; Aggregate Productivity; Cross-Country Output Convergence
    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • F33 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - International Monetary Arrangements and Institutions
    • F45 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - Macroeconomic Issues of Monetary Unions

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