International Monetary System and the Less Developed Countries

GRAHAM BIRD is a graduate of the University of Cambridge, is Senior Lecturer and Course Director in Economics at the University of Surrey. He is the author of numerous publications dealing mainly with aspects of international finance and economic development, and is currently preparing two further books in this general area. Mr Bird is also a Reseach Associate at the Overseas Development Institute, where he is working on a project entitled The International Monetary Fund and Economic Management in Developing Countries.

• Preface INTRODUCTION Background Balance-of-Payments Problems and International Monetary Issues in LDCs Alternative Policy Approaches LDCs and the Reform of the International Monetary System RELATIONS BETWEEN THE IMF AND LDCs The Relationship between Development and Stabilisation Relations between the IMF and LDCs: A Historical Perspective Concluding Remarks PRIMARY-PRODUCT PRICE INSTABILITY AND EXPORT INSTABILITY IN LDCs The Causes of Export Instability: Theoretical Analysis Export Concentration The Causes of Export Instability: Empirical Evidence The Consequences of Export Instability: Theoretical Analysis Empirical Evidence and Interpretation Empirical Evidence of the Extent of Export Instability Concluding Remarks TRENDS IN THE TERMS OF TRADE, EXPORT EARNINGS AND IMPORT PAYMENTS OF LDCs Theoretical Analysis Empirical Evidence on LDCs' Terms of Trade The Impact of Adverse Movements in Terms of Trade Foreign Trade Elasticities Concluding Remarks THE DEMAND FOR INTERNATIONAL RESERVES IN LDCs International Reserves and Liquidity: Demand and Need The Theory of the Demand for International Reserves LDCs' Demand for International Reserves Concluding Remarks BALANCE-OF-PAYMENTS ADJUSTMENT IN LDCs The Causes of Balance-of-Payments Disequilibria Basic Policy Alternatives: Adjustment and Financing The Objectives of Adjustment Adjustment Policy in LDCs: Theoretical Analysis Optimal Adjustment Strategy in LDCs Adjustment Policy in LDCs: Empirical Evidence Devaluation and the Balance of Payments Concluding Remarks THE IMF AS A SOURCE OF INTERNATIONAL LIQUIDITY FOR LDCs Normal Facilities Special Facilities Concluding Remarks AN EVALUATION OF IMF-BASED SOURCES OF INTERNATIONAL LIQUIDITY FOR LDCs The Facilities in the General Account Evaluation of General Account Sources of International Finance The SDR Account The Trust Fund Concluding Remarks PRIVATE SOURCES OF INTERNATIONAL FINANCE FOR LDCs Reasons for the Growth of Commercial Borrowing by LDCs Benefits Associated with Commercial Borrowing Problems Associated with Commercial Borrowing Concluding Remarks THE COMMODITIES PROBLEM AND THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY SYSTEM Compensatory Financing Buffer Stocks The Role of the International Monetary System The Commodity-Reserve Currency SDRs and the Financing of Commodity Stabilisation The Size of the Financing Problem Implications for World Economic Stability Concluding Remarks THE LINK BETWEEN SDRs AND AID The Theory of Social Saving and Seigniorage SDRs and the Informal Aid Link Forerunners of the SDR-Aid Link Types of SDR-Aid Link Some other considerations Relevant to the Choice of SDR-Aid Link The Burden-Sharing Implications of the Link Arguments For and Against the Link A Summary Assessment of the SDR-Aid Lik EXCHANGE-RATE POLICY AND LDCs LDCs' Attitude to Generalised Floating LDCs' Own Exchange-Rate Behaviour in LDCs: Empirical Evidence Concluding Remarks POSTSCRIPT TO THE SECOND EDITION Notes Chapter Bibliographies Index of Names