Relevant and even prescient commentary on news, politics and the economy.

The Continuing Dominance of the Dollar: A Review of Cohen’s “Currency Power”

by Joseph Joyce The Continuing Dominance of the Dollar: A Review of Cohen’s “Currency Power” Every year I choose a book that deals with an important aspect of globalization, and award it the Globalization Book of the Year, also known as the “Globie.” Unfortunately, there is no cash prize to go along with it, so […]

Capital Flows, Credit Booms and Bank Crises

by Joseph Joyce Capital Flows, Credit Booms and Bank Crises Studies of the impact of capital inflows have established that debt inflows can lead to bank crises (see here and here). Unlike equity, payments on debt are contractual and can not be cancelled if there is an economic downturn, which intensifies any shocks to the […]

The IMF and the Return of Structural Conditionality in Europe

The IMF has increased in importance over the last few years, especially in Europe.  Prof. Joyce writes on the background of its evolution. by Joseph P. Joyce  is a Professor of Economics at Wellesley College and the Faculty Director of the Madeleine Korbel Albright Institute for Global Affairs. The IMF and the Return of Structural Conditionality […]