It is shown that the inefficiencies created by the “soft” budget constraint, enjoyed by enterprises in Eastern Europe and elsewhere, will continue so long as governments are unable credibly to threaten not to bail out loss-makers. Commitment to a “hard” budget constraint can best be...

This paper considers the implications of the prospective aging of the U.S. population for the social security system and concludes that the large and growing cashflow surpluses of the social security trust funds should be saved to help insulate living stands against this change. A number of...

The paper surveys the major economic, financial, and administrative issues that confront social security systems in Latin America. The larger systems have contributed substantially to public sector financial disequilibria. Expenditures of the younger systems with more limited coverage could...

Although Turkey’s economic performance has been strong, growing external imbalances exposed the country to a reversal of sentiment. In the wake of recent market turbulence, the authorities have recommitted to strong policies and stepped up program implementation. The authorities’ commitment...

This paper examines Turkey’s Seventh Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement, and Requests for Waiver of Applicability and Nonobservance of Performance Criteria. Successful macroeconomic management delivered an impressive economic performance in 2003. However, budget slippages interrupted this...

This paper assesses Turkey’s Tenth Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement (SBA). The IMF supports Turkey’s economic program under an SBA covering 2000–02. The arrangement was augmented with resources under the Supplemental Reserve Facility in December 2000, and under the credit tranches in...

In recent years, the IMF has released a growing number of reports and other documents covering economic and financial developments and trends in member countries. Each report, prepared by a staff team after discussions with government officials, is published at the option of the member country

This paper examines Turkey’s 2002 Article IV Consultation and First Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement (SBA). In response to September 11, the Turkish government initiated a new intensified IMF-supported program, both to protect the economy against future crises, and to continue Turkey’s...

This paper examines Turkey’s Request for a Stand-By Arrangement (SBA). The program contains several measures to free up the growth potential of Turkey’s private sector. The program rightly addresses key obstacles to domestic and foreign private investment. Although the program faces real...