The "Argentine disappointment"—why Argentina persistently failed to achieve sustained economic stability during the twentieth century—is an issue that has mystified scholars for decades. In Straining the Anchor, Gerardo della Paolera and Alan M. Taylor provide many of the missing links that...

We use the synthetic control method (SCM) to estimate the effect of official dollarization in Ecuador and quasi-dollarization, in the form of a currency board, in Argentina. We show that these monetary arrangements were effective at controlling inflation in these two countries. Interestingly, in...

This book focuses on "Convertibilidad", the latest Argentine experience of exchange rate based stabilisation, and aims at isolating the main causes for its tragic collapse in 2001-2002. The characteristics of Argentina’s high and hyperinflation during the 1980s are analysed, and the theory of...

Countries in transition often face high levels of inflation. This paper discusses two ways to reduce inflation: the creation of an independent central bank and the introduction of a currency board. It is shown that both options have advantages and disadvantages. This framework is used for a...