This paper assesses the suitability and constraints of having a unified currency in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) according to the optimum currency area theory and by analyzing the result of symmetry shocks of macroeconomic variables. The paper concludes that although there are...

This paper evaluates the arguments for regional monetary cooperation in East Asia. Unlike in Europe, which saw longstanding discussions on the costs and benefits of monetary unification, a proper debate is not yet underway in East Asia. Instead, the quot;classicalquot; European arguments for and...

The uncovered interest rate parity condition lies at the heart of the "impossible trinity", stating that the three objectives of fixed exchange rates, free capital flows, and independent monetary policy cannot be pursued simultaneously. We argue that although monetary unification does indeed...

This paper studies monetary regime choice between monetary union and flexible exchange rate regime in a large open economy framework. The classical approach emphasizes that monetary unions are inherently costly because a single interest rate cannot respond effectively to different shocks of...

When real wages in an economy no longer reflect productivity, normally devaluations of the currency restore international price-competitiveness via imported inflation that reduces real wages. This instrument is not available in a currency union. The job has to be done by reductions in nominal...

This paper investigates the monetary regime choice between a monetary union and a flexible exchange rate regime in a large open economy framework. The classical approach argues that a monetary union should be established between countries with positively correlated shocks so that the cost of the...

In contrast to the popular bipolar view on exchange rate choices, this paper argues that intermediate regimes in general and regional exchange rate systems such as the European Monetary System (EMS) in particular should not be ruled out per se when discussing monetary options for East Asian...

The uncovered interest rate parity condition lies at the heart of the "impossible trinity", stating that the three objectives of fixed exchange rates, free capital flows, and independent monetary policy cannot be pursued simultaneously. We argue that although monetary unification does indeed...

This paper studies monetary regime choice between monetary union and flexible exchange rate regime in a large open economy framework. The classical approach emphasizes that monetary unions are inherently costly because a single interest rate cannot respond effectively to different shocks of...

Differential requirements for seigniorage provide a weak case for retaining monetary independence. As regards adjustment to asymmetric shocks, nominal exchange rate flexibility is at best a limited blessing and at worst a limited curse. Absence of significant fiscal redistribution mechanisms...