This paper examines the determinants of the volatility in growth rates, seeking to expand on a very limited literature which has focused almost exclusively on financial determinants of volatility. An analysis of 41 variables and their effects on growth volatility yields some surprising results:...

Through financial channels, agricultural protectionism imposes costs on efficient producers that are higher than those associated with negative allocative effects and export losses usually estimated. The link between protectionism and finance has a direct relationship with the WTO Marrakech...

The terms of reference for the inquiry on First Home Ownership asked the Commission to evaluate the affordability and availability of housing for first home buyers. The Commission’s preliminary findings were released for public comment in December. In its final assessment, the Commission...

The purpose of this paper is to put the future of the US dollar into a logical framework which comprises the global development mechanism. Two models of growth collide: the US «locomotive», based on the international use of the dollar, and which requires exogenous pushes coming permanently...

This paper presents international evidence on the use of financial derivatives for a sample of 7,292 non-financial firms from 48 countries including the United States. Across all countries, 59.8% of the firms use derivatives in general, while 43.6% use currency derivatives, 32.5% interest rate...