Competitive Devaluations: A Welfare-Based Approach

36 Pages Posted: 26 Aug 1999

See all articles by Giancarlo Corsetti

Giancarlo Corsetti

European University Institute; University of Cambridge; Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

Paolo A. Pesenti

Federal Reserve Bank of New York; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Nouriel Roubini

New York University - Leonard N. Stern School of Business - Department of Economics; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Cédric Tille

Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (HEI)

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: December 1998

Abstract

This paper studies the mechanism of international transmission of exchange rate shocks within a three-country Center-Periphery model, providing a choice-theoretic framework for the policy analysis and empirical assessment of competitive devaluations. If relative prices and terms of trade exhibit some flexibility conforming to the law of one price, a devaluation by one country is beggar-thy-neighbor relative to another country through its effects on cost-competitiveness in a third market. Yet, due to direct bilateral trade among the two countries, there is a large range of parameter values for which a country is better off by maintaining a peg in response to its partner's devaluation. If instead deviations from the law of one price are to be considered the dominant empirical paradigm, then the beggar-thy-neighbor effect based on competition in a third market may disappear. However, a country's devaluation has a negative welfare impact on the economies of its trading partners based on the deterioration of their export revenues and profits and the increase in disutility from higher labor effort for any level of consumption.

Keywords: competitive devaluations, exchange rate shocks, contagion, global trade links, law of one price

JEL Classification: F31, F32, F41, F42

Suggested Citation

Corsetti, Giancarlo and Pesenti, Paolo A. and Roubini, Nouriel and Tille, Cedric, Competitive Devaluations: A Welfare-Based Approach (December 1998). FRB of New York Staff Report No. 58, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=163150 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.163150

Giancarlo Corsetti

European University Institute ( email )

University of Cambridge ( email )

Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

London
United Kingdom

Paolo A. Pesenti (Contact Author)

Federal Reserve Bank of New York ( email )

33 Liberty Street
New York, NY 10045
United States
212-720-5493 (Phone)
212-720-6831 (Fax)

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

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Cambridge, MA 02138
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Nouriel Roubini

New York University - Leonard N. Stern School of Business - Department of Economics ( email )

269 Mercer Street
New York, NY 10003
United States
212-998-0886 (Phone)
212-995-4218 (Fax)

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

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Cedric Tille

Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (HEI) ( email )

PO Box 136
Geneva, CH-1211
Switzerland

HOME PAGE: http://sites.google.com/site/cedrictilleheid/home

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