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The Bretton Woods System. Create a set of rules that would maintain fixed exchange rates in the face of short-term fluctuations; Guarantee that changes in exchange rates would occur only in the face of long-term, persistent deficits or surpluses in the balance of payments;
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The Bretton Woods System • Create a set of rules that would maintain fixed exchange rates in the face of short-term fluctuations; • Guarantee that changes in exchange rates would occur only in the face of long-term, persistent deficits or surpluses in the balance of payments; • Ensure that when such changes did occur, they would not spark a series of competitive devaluations.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) The IMF was intended to play two major roles in the Bretton Woods System: • the Fund should discourage aggressive exchange rate behavior by members and help them manage their balance of payments efficiently; • the Fund was given resources to lend international reserves to countries with balance of payments difficulties.
The Quota System The IMF is financed by its members. Upon joining the IMF, a nation has to subscribe to a Quota, which is based on its relative economic significance and the level of its international business activities. The size of the member’s quota determines the country’s voting power and borrowing rights.
The Quota System • Voting Power • 250 “basic votes” plus one vote for each SDR100,000 of quota. • Borrowing Rights • Unconditional Borrowing Rights • Conditional Borrowing Rights
IMF Credit Facilities • Stand-By Arrangements (SBA) • Extended Fund Facility (EFF) • Supplemental Reserve Facility (SRF) • Contingent Credit Lines (CCL) • Compensatory Financing Facility (CFF) • Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF)
Functions of the IMF The Bretton Woods System was officially abandoned in 1973. With the collapse of the system, the IMF’s functions changed to • Policy Cooperation; • Share Expertise; • Financial Assistance; and • Help the World’s Poorest Countries
Structural Adjustment Programs • Cut Social Spending; • Shrink Government; • Increase Interest Rates; • Eliminate Tariffs; • Eliminate Regulations on Foreign Ownership of Resources and Businesses; • Cut Subsidies for Basic Goods; and • Re-orient Economies from Subsistence to Exports
The Special Drawing Right (SDR) The Special Drawing Right (SDR) is an international reserve asset created by the IMF to supplement existing reserves. It is valued on the basis of a basket of five currencies and can be used in a wide variety of transactions and operations among official holders.
SDR Valuation Valued Gateway Client: Valued Gateway