This text opens with a discussion of the nature, causes and consequences of the Asian Financial Crisis (AFC). It examines the impact the AFC had as well as offers answers for the questions: why was the economic downturn so severe and why was the territory initially a laggard in economic recovery?

Motivated by the observed international reserve hoarding behavior in the post-1997 crisis period, we explore the Mrs Machlup's wardrobe hypothesis and the related keeping-up-with-the-Joneses argument. It is conceived that, in addition to psychological reasons, holding a relatively high level of...