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."

Tags:inflation, trade

Abstract
Over the past several years, the country of Ecuador has had its economic problems burgeon into a crisis. This has resulted in the devaluation of its currency, the closing of many schools, a crisis in confidence by both Ecuadorans and people in many other countries, and substantial political upheaval as the government has repeatedly changed hands. The paper shows that the causes for the country's economic failure are complex and interlinked. It examines one of the most important causes, the country's exchange rate, as well as the relationship between the country's economic situation and the dollarization of the economy.

From the Paper
"In devaluing the currency, the government acknowledged that the International Monetary Fund did not entirely approve. The power that the IMF has over many developing nations is substantial and will be examined below. Ecuadoran leaders have struggled for years to remedy the financial problems of their country, but have been unable to make substantial progress in large measure because of the nation's dependent position in the world trade system."

Tags:International, Monetary, Fund, Latin, America

Abstract
The country of Ecuador has, over the past several years, seen its economy reach crisis level, resulting in the devaluation of its currency, the closing of many schools, a crisis in confidence by both Ecuadorans and people in many other countries and substantial political upheaval as the government has repeatedly " and rapidly " changed hands. The causes for the country's economic failure are complex and interlinking. This paper examines one of the most important causes - the country's exchange rate and the relationship between the its economic situation and the dollarization of the economy (the extensive use of the U.S. dollar alongside or instead of the domestic currency).

From the Paper
"One possible solution to the country's economic problems (although this may only be a short-term one) is dollarization. In large measure because of the ways in which Ecuador's economy has been weakened through international banking policies (including those instituted by both the IMF and the World Bank), Ecuadorans have for several years sought refuge in the process of dollarization a move that was initially at least made out of desperation. The move to dollarization was made in part because of problems internal to Ecuador's economic situation and in part due to a domino effect common in Latin America in which problems in one country spill over to others. "

Tags:Latin, America, International, Monetary, Fund, IMF

Abstract
This papers deals with the effect of dollarization on the South American country of Ecuador. The author looks at issues such as economics, politics and society and how dollarization may impact these.

From the Paper
"Ecuador, the "Republic of the Equator" was one of the three countries that emerged from Simon Bolivar's Gran Colombia in 1830. It is located in western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator, between Colombia and Peru. It is a very small country, measuring out to be slightly smaller than the State of Nevada. Being as small as it is, Ecuador has the economic and political troubles of a giant."

Tags:south, america

Abstract
This seven-page paper studies the currency status of Ecuador that switched to U.S. dollar as its legal tender in January 2000. the dollarization of its currency has posed some problems for this economically fragile state but with new oil reserves and important pacts with multinationals for oil exploration, Ecuador appears to have stabilized its economy to some extent though it still has to go a long way to achieve complete prosperity and economic stability.

Abstract
The paper provides an overview of Ecuador's tumultuous political history but discusses how despite this history, there is hope for the future of democracy, since many people in Ecuador desire and are pushing for democracy. The paper reaches the conclusion that if the country does maintain a stable democracy, it will be a model for other Latin American states, showing how they too can overcome adversity. However, the paper notes that if Ecuador does not manage to become a strong democracy, scholars must reconsider whether democracy is the best course for the region.

Outline:
An Overview of Ecuador's Democratic Trends
Implications for the Future
Conclusions and Regional Implications

From the Paper
"The Western world's attempt to spread democracy to all corners of the world has lead to regime shifts, wars, and countless debates regarding the proper use of democracy and where it should be best implemented. Latin America is one region in which democracy has failed to take root. Instead of transforming the area's dictatorships into shining democracies in which people had the ability to vote for the leader that they thought would best run the country, they turned to corruption and failure, changing what Padgett said "should have been a golden age for Latin lawmakers" into a bleak forecast. Padgett also contends that this is why Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez was met with such congratulation in the region. He was most likely a better ruler, in the eyes of the Venezuelan people, than a so-called democratic institution that was fraught with corruption. Padgett implies that before Chavez took control of the government and put an end to the legislative, legislators were making money off of oil-profits while Venezuelan citizens had little . Indeed, corruption marks most of the democracies that were encouraged by the United States and its partner nations in an attempt to bring democratic rule to the world."

Tags:Latin, America, corruption, dictatorships, government, Correa

Abstract
This paper begins by discussing Ecuador's geography and natural resources. It then looks at its political and legal systems in the past and present. The country's culture, major trading partners, export, labor forces and technology are also examined.

Outline
Introduction
History of Ecuador
Geography
Natural Resources
Political and Legal Systems
Culture
Export and Major Trading Partners
Labor Forces
Technology
References

From the Paper
"According to the CIA world factbook Ecuador is a country with a population of 13,212,742 located in the Western part of South America and borders the Pacific Ocean (The World Factbook, Ecuador 2005). In addition, Ecuador is bordered by Columbia to the north and Peru to the south (The World Factbook, Ecuador 2005). Ecuador (which is Spanish for equator) actually overlaps the equator (Ecuador 2001) The geographic coordinates of Ecuador are 2 00 S, 77 30 W (The World Factbook, Ecuador 2005). According to the factbook, Ecuador is about the size of Nevada. The total land boundaries for Ecuador are 2,010 km (The World Factbook, Ecuador 2005)."

Tags:export, trade, labor

Abstract
This paper is on the country of Ecuador. It will give the cultural and economic analysis of the country. Ecuador's history has been tempestuous and has had many struggles to advance.

Abstract
The writer gives examples of damage done to the country of Ecuador as a result of heavy rains. El Nino battered Ecuador harder than almost any other country. The paper also cites long-term effects of the damage, such as crop destruction and loss of property. The paper then looks at ways in which the country is learning to predict future storms, thereby allowing for preparation.

From the Paper
"The Bermeo family had been driven from their small home and farm, looking for dry ground, unable to get into the overcrowded refugee camps. They had to swim to safety after a food swept through their valley and buried their farm in mud. Their pigs and chicks drowned and the smallest children were saved by climbing into a high tree until a neighbor with a boat rescued them. They said they were afraid of the passing cars and trucks, but more afraid of the water."

Tags:storm, damage, weather, destruction, ocean

Abstract
This study provides a geographical description of the Tungurahua Volcano of Ecuador and describes the nature of its volcanic activity. The paper also explores the risks to inhabitants living in close proximity to the volcano and some of the measures taken to protect them. The paper concludes by examining what is being done to assist those affected by the volcano and probable solutions to the threat it poses.

From the Paper
"The Tungurahua volcano is categorized as a strato-volcano reaching a height of 5016 meters. With a nickname of "The Black Giant", the mountain has a 600 feet wide crater, with most of the mountain covered in snow. Its geographical status shows that it lies some 25 kilometers east of Ambato, Ecuador's 4th largest city. The slopes of the Tungurahua volcano are primarily used for the local agriculture sector and a number of small villages including a town called Banos which cradles the mountain from both the western and northern sides."

Tags:eruptions, explosions, lava, flows, hazard, ashes, rock, strombolian, magma