The world changed on July 2, 1997 when Thailand floated the baht. Explanations abound on the origins of the crisis - indeed it is a growth industry. This study is part of that explosion. It has several objectives. Identification of the causes of the crisis is the most important goal. Why did it...

Experts have long questioned the effect of currency undervaluation on overall GDP growth. They have viewed the underlying basis for this policy--intervention in currency markets to keep the price of the home currency cheap--as doomed to failure on both theoretical and empirical grounds....

Cover -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Ch 1. Introduction -- What Determines Growth: Geography? Technology? Policy? -- The Primacy of Exchange Rate Policy -- A Guide to the Book -- Ch 2. Determinants of Economic Growth -- The Historical Context -- Some Explanations of Growth -- Growth since 1950...