Abstract The paper presents a thorough examination of the causes of the weak U.S. dollar and a discussion of both the pros and cons of the current Bush dollar policy. The paper questions what the dollar policy of the Bush Administration should be. After understanding the effects of the dollar policy, the paper shows that the administration should promote a stable dollar through increased fiscal discipline. This would show the world that the U.S. is not pushing its debt problems on them, eliminating the uncertainty of currency markets. With a stable dollar policy, the U.S. could improve the domestic economy, while no longer economically alienating the rest of the world.
From the Paper "Former presidents George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Andrew Jackson may not have had similar leadership strategies, but each were powerful figures of American history. Their contributions to the development of the United States helped it become the most powerful nation in the world, and today their involvement is acknowledged, as portraits of each grace a form of American currency. Their pictures symbolize American history and, more importantly, power. While the United States continues to hold a central role in global markets, its hegemony is increasingly threatened. The decline in value of the US dollar over the last three years may be symbolic of dwindling American dominance, thus the fall of the dollar is being closely examined. Many countries feel the US lives beyond its means. A weak US dollar helps boost US exports, in effect decreasing trade deficits by allowing the world to buy American debt. The current administration provides meaningless sound bites to the media, proclaiming publicly that it wants a strong currency while quietly allowing the dollar to decline. Other domestic policies seem to promote the idea that America is doing little to promote a strong dollar, such as an expanding defense budget and calls for social security reform. If the US continues to show such disregard for foreign opinion, the results may be devastating."
Abstract This paper considers ten articles regarding dollarization. It explores the effects of official and unofficial dollarization. The author discusses problems with the de facto dollarization of economies. The paper explains three types of dollarization. The author concludes with a discussion on the political dimensions of dollarization, and other issues.
From the Paper "Dollarization occurs when a country either formally or informally uses another country's currency rather than its domestic currency as the primary medium of exchange. Informally individual businesses or citizens ..."
Abstract This paper explores the U.S. dollar and the effects of its devaluation. The paper also argues the pros and cons of a weak dollar and examines measures the U.S. government and consumer can take to slow or prevent the the dollar's decline.
From the Paper "Since the beginning of advanced civilization, trade and economy has revolved around currency. Currency provides a uniform medium for the exchange of goods and services, and facilitates economic activity. As world economies become more and more reliant upon each other, the difference in valuation of national currencies becomes increasingly important in projecting markets. For the purposes of this paper, I will explore why the United States dollar has fallen recently in the context of macroeconomics, and identify the advantages and disadvantages of a "strong" national currency."
Abstract This paper discusses the company mission statement, vision, and strategic issues of the Family Dollar stores. The author points out the significance of these new types of merchandisers. The paper considers strategy alternatives and recommendation at Family Dollar stores.
From the Paper "While so-called big box retailers, such as Best Buy, Home Depot and Wal-Mart, have received much attention in recent years and have in someways changed retailing in the United States, another significant shift has been underway among smaller retailers, who offer general merchandise. These so-called dollar stores offer merchandise that rarely exceeds a few dollars in price on a per-unit level and considerable inroads have been made by companies such as the Cent Store Big Lots and Family Dollar. The strategy behind these ..."
Tags: Family Dollar, strategic planning, mission statement, vision statement
Abstract This ten page undergraduate paper examines newspaper commentary on the value fluctuations of the Canadian dollar. The paper discusses how the commentaries tended to focus not only on the exchange rate and its shifts, but on the various reasons why these fluctuations were occurring. The paper explains that at times the commentaries dealt with immediate causes of Canadian dollar value changes, while at other times a more extended assessment was given which focused on longer-term influences and trends.
From the Paper "In tracking the changing value of the Canadian dollar between January 24 and March 11, 2005, it is evident that the fluctuation was generally confined within a range of five-cents. The lowest difference between the Canadian and U.S. dollars was reached at the end of this recording cycle, when the difference was .2040 on 11 March. The highest difference was seen one week into the recording cycle when the difference was .2566 on 7 February. During this seven-week period, the average difference between the Canadian and American dollars was .2351."
Abstract This paper explores the devaluation of the US dollar and its relationship to foreign currencies. The author presents two possible outcomes for this situation, one foreseeing dire consequences and the other seeing it as nothing alarming. The devaluation is considered in terms of developing nations linking their currency inflation rates to the US dollar. The role of the US Federal Reserve is analyzed in relation to this process as well.
Outline:
Abstract
Understanding the Current Crisis
The Current Situation and Potential Effects
Works Cited
From the Paper "In order to understand the current losses sustained by the US Dollar in what is otherwise considered a period of stable global economic growth, one must look at other periods of devaluation. During the Great Depression losses to bank deposits only amounted to 1.9% of the US GNP (Calamoris, 1993). Losses during other historical periods of economic crises, such as the 1830s, 1850s, and 1890s, are insignificant when compared to the losses that have occurred since 1982 (Calomoris, 1993). Calomoris does not feel that shocks such was wars, oil price hikes, or global downturns in demand have been to blame. Calomiris feels that government subsidies that encourage developing economies to take risks are to blame. These subsidies encourage spending and risk taking that the entities are not stable enough to handle. This places pressure on developed nations to foot the bill for the losses."
Abstract This paper identifies five persistent factors that have determined the historical trajectory in Ecuador's exchange-rate policy and threatened its long-term macroeconomic stability: (a) chronic inflation, (b) over-dependence on commodity exports, (c) excessive borrowing, (d) institutional weaknesses in the financial system, and (e) weak public administration. It assesses the merits of dollarization by discussing to what extent these problems have been mitigated or solved. The rest of the paper is organized as follows: Section 1 provides an historical overview of the important events surrounding Ecuador's exchange rate policy, beginning with the adoption and management of the floating rate in early 1990s, leading up to dollarization in the year 2000, and highlighting the state of affairs in the country since then; Section 2 describes the process by which Ecuador implemented dollarization; Section 3 provides an analysis of the pros and cons of dollarization in Ecuador; Section 4 discusses whether Ecuador really had any choice but to dollarize, given the option of adopting a currency board instead; and in Section 5, the writer provides some concluding comments.
From the Paper "Ecuador is one of the 15 countries in the world today that uses the U.S. dollar as its official domestic currency and legal tender . The case of Ecuador's dollarization is unique for two reasons; first, this is by far the largest country to fully dollarize its economy, and second, the purpose of dollarization was not to reap the benefits of a regional or trade-based currency union, but to provide quick stabilization to a volatile macroeconomic environment. The Ecuadorian sucre experienced several different exchange rate systems on the road to dollarization, including a fixed exchange rate regime during the seventies, an unwieldy floating rate system in the late eighties and early nineties featuring four different exchange rates simultaneously in operation, a unified and managed floating rate mechanism subject to a crawling peg band for most of the nineties, and finally, a free float in 1999. During this period, Ecuador experienced a steady increase in the level of unofficial, spontaneous dollarization, to the extent that the economy was operating in a dual-currency environment. Full, official and formal dollarization was declared in January 2000, at a time when the country was suffering from the worst recession in its independent history, a severe banking crisis, and hyperinflation."
Abstract This study examines the historical basis for the valuation of the U.S. dollar, the impact of recent trends and initiatives including but not limited to the euro and an analysis of how these factors will serve to affect the dollar's valuation in the future. This study examines a wide range of international currencies, with an emphasis on the world's leading economies besides the U.S. and EU such as China, Japan, Korea and others, with a particular emphasis on how these currencies have tended to interact with the U.S. dollar over the years. Current theories concerning currency valuation techniques will be provided, and statistical analyses are also carried out where appropriate.
Outline:
Chapter 1: Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Purpose of Study
Importance of Study
Scope of Study
Rationale of Study
Overview of Study
Chapter 2: Review of Related Literature
Background and Overview: International Currency Exchanges
Current Trends and Initiatives
Impact of the Euro on Dollar Valuation
Analysis of Current Trends and Initiatives on Dollar Valuation in the Future
Chapter 3: Methodology
Description of the Study Approach
Data-gathering Method and Database of Study
Chapter 4: Data Analysis
Chapter 5: Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations
From the Paper "According to Michael Artis, Elizabeth Hennessy, and Axel Weber (2000), capital losses can be caused by differential changes in the value of assets and liabilities, primarily exchange rate changes; these changes affect the value of a central bank's foreign exchange reserves. To date, exchange rate changes have only been a major problem for national central banks with very large foreign exchange reserves (i.e., Portugal); however, it might also become a problem for the European Central Bank in the future, whose balance sheet on the asset side will be dominated by the approximately 40 billion euro in foreign exchange reserves it has called up from the national central banks as of the end of 1999 (Artis et al. 208). The strength of the euro compared to the U.S. dollar has been growing in recent months, and economists are of mixed opinions about the impact on the valuation of the dollar as the European Union continues to gain economic momentum as it streamlines it trading practices."
Abstract This paper looks at many aspects of the euro vs. the American dollar issue. The paper looks at the strength of the euro in proportion to the dollar, the benefits and disadvantages to both Europe and the U.S. of a strong euro or a strong dollar, and the possible future of both the euro and the American dollar.
From the Paper "In today's modern market, two currencies stand out, those of the United States dollar and the Euro. Until recently, the dollar was considered the strongest currency and the default currency for the world (Landler, May 18, 2003). Yet with Euro gaining considerable ground in many countries, the future of both the euro and the dollar is undecided."
Abstract This paper examines the key sides of the argument regarding the effect of the depreciation of the US dollar. It also looks at the outlook for the future and the effects on the US and global economies. The paper investigates the hypothesis that the depreciating dollar will help to rebalance the trade deficit, resulting in a stronger overall global economy.
Table of Contents:
Understanding Dollar Depreciation
Dollar Depreciation and Global Competitiveness
What does the Future look like?
Factors that Could Affect the Outcome
Conclusion
From the Paper "From the standpoint of increased demand for goods, it can be argued that the depreciation of the dollar is actually good for the economy. However, when one considers the increase in commodity prices, it would appear to put a pinch on the wallets of the average American citizen. Rivens, (2004) indicated that the current trade deficit was nearly 5% of the economy, using this as a basis for a gloomy outlook. However, this is actually a decrease from the record 7% in 2005, which was not mentioned. Increases in demands for US products were a key factor in the ability to reduce the debt. Extra funds were used to offset the debt. Therefore, the 5% reported by Rivens was an improvement of the past several years."
Abstract This paper analyzes the financial movement of the Euro vs. the dollar during the calender year 2001. It looks at the efforts by the European Central bank to maintain stability and what measures it is taking. It also describes the difficulties in the financial markets of late due to economic insecurity and how this has had an effect on these currencies' movements.
From the paper:
"The future of the euro vis-?-vis the dollar is naturally of concern to the this foreign currency management department of this bank given the potential to disruption in the U.S. economy at large if the euro experiences substantial fluctuations as well as the potential disruption to the activities to this particular bank that such changes in the status of this currency vis-?-vis the dollar might portend. In this regard, it is important to note that the future of the euro is actually somewhat brighter now than it was at the beginning of this calendar year."
Abstract This paper is an in-depth analysis of the ?dollarizing? of Argentina's economy. It describes the affects of the Convertibility Plan aimed at ending the soaring inflation in the late 80s and reorganizing the national economy. The plan replaced the Argentine peso with the U.S. dollar in the hope of eliminating the peso-dollar exchange-rate risk, lowering interest rates and stimulating economic growth. The author gives a brief overview of the economy of Argentina and its history and describes the continuous protests and national strike since 1996. The paper also looks at the "social costs" of the economic success in Argentina.
From the Paper "The "dollarizing" of Argentina's economy was the product of the genius of Domingo Cavallo, finance minister of former President Carlos Saul Menem, under a Convertibility Plan aimed at putting the country's chillingly soaring inflation in the late 80s to a sudden stop (Mark Falcoff) and then saving and re-ordering the economy as a whole. No more Argentinean money to be printed than there were dollars in circulation ? a radical measure, which worked. But it also created more trouble by raising prices above those of the United States and resulted in slow capital inflows and high unemployment rate (17% in 1997) and the consequent overthrow of President Menem after 10 years of rule.
The Convertibility Plan replaced the Argentine peso with the US dollar in the hope of eliminating the peso-dollar exchange-rate risk, lowering interest rates and stimulating economic growth (Hanke & Schuler 1999) The one-on-one rate (1 Argentine peso to US$1) induced currency stability and helped achieve free-market reforms and high growth, but this streak of genius ?proved to be more a manipulation than miracle, because it came the price of selling off national industries, services and resources (Looksmart).? These resources included airlines, telephones, railroads, subways, roads, even the control of the petroleum industry. The Plan stabilized the currency all right, but eventually damaged export trade "by shoring up the peso" (Looksmart) ?
Abstract This paper examines how dollar depreciation is thought by many to be a good method of increasing output, investment, and employment, while at the same time helping to reduce the current account deficit. It analyzes the effects of a weak dollar on output in merchandising industries as well as in the aggregate, investment, employment, inflation, and the balance of payments. Theoretical models, as well as empirical data, are used to come to the conclusion that depreciating the dollar is harmful to the U.S. economy.
From the Paper "One argument is that dollar depreciation relative to other currencies will increase output and profits for firms that export goods. The simplest form of this argument states that a weaker dollar will make American exports comparatively cheaper and therefore, foreign consumers will demand more U.S. exports. This increased demand for exports will increase output for American firms. For example, say the dollar depreciates relative to the euro. Where consumers could once buy $1.10 for one euro they can now buy $1.20. "
Abstract This paper explains that, in macroeconomics terms, the U.S. dollar appears to be the currency holding the greatest global power because it is the dominant reserve currency, now comprising 68 percent of global reserves as compared with 51 percent of global currency reserves just a decade ago. The author points out that liberal U.S. foreign and domestic policies influenced the success of the American currency because the United States was able to maintain only the minimum of trade barriers with Western Europe, Japan and South Korea. The paper relates that some critics hail the decline of the dollar as a much-needed reestablishment of economic balance between the United States and the rest of the world; however, other critics see the decline of the dollar as a path towards local economic growth and prosperity within the United States' borders.
From the Paper "Historically, the extreme strength of the dollar was gained after World War II, when there was a decline in the value of the currency holding power until this event, the British pound sterling. At the verge of becoming a globally accepted standard currency, the Second World War decimated Britain in terms of power and economy, while the United States readily stepped in to fill the gap. The first major influencing factor on the dollar thus appears to be the decline of the then major currency in the world."
Abstract This paper begins by examining the evolution of the US Dollar/Japanese Yen exchange rate from the 1st of January 2003 to the 1st of January 2005. The paper examines this exchange rate from a bilateral trade and foreign investment perspective and then goes on to take a look at the Indian Rupee-US Dollar exchange rate as well as the Mexican Peso-U.S. Dollar exchange rate from the same perspective.
From the Paper "If we look closer on the graph, we will see brief periods of appreciation for the US dollar in March and June 2004. These may correspond to the periods when the Federal Reserve decided to raise interest rates in the US in order to fight rising inflation. Indeed, in order to encourage economic growth, the level of interest rates in the US had reached some of the lowest levels in history, 1 %, before gradually rising (they presently stand at 3 %). Each 0.25 % increase in the interest rate boosted confidence in the US dollar."
