Sudden Stops, the Real Exchange Rate, and Fiscal Sustainability: Argentina's Lessons

50 Pages Posted: 14 Jul 2003 Last revised: 10 Nov 2022

See all articles by Guillermo A. Calvo

Guillermo A. Calvo

Columbia University - School of International & Public Affairs (SIPA); National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Alejandro Izquierdo

Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) - Research Department

Ernesto Talvi

Centro de Estudios de la Realidad Economica y Social (CERES)

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Date Written: July 2003

Abstract

We offer an alternative explanation for the fall of Argentina's Convertibility Program based on the country's vulnerability to Sudden Stops in capital flows. Sudden Stops are typically accompanied by a substantial increase in the real exchange rate that breaks havoc in countries that are heavily dollarized in their liabilities, turning otherwise sustainable fiscal and corporate sector positions into unsustainable ones. In particular, we stress that the required change in relative prices is larger the more closed an economy is in terms of its supply of tradable goods. By contrasting Argentina's performance relative to other Latin American countries that were also subject to the Sudden Stop triggered by the Russian crisis of 1998, we identify key vulnerability indicators that separated Argentina from its piers. We also provide an explanation for the political maelstrom that ensued after the Sudden Stop, based on a War of Attrition argument related to the wealth redistribution conflict triggered by the Sudden Stop and fiscal collapse. This framework also provides elements to rationalize the banking crisis that accompanied the fall of Convertibility.

Suggested Citation

Calvo, Guillermo A. and Izquierdo, Alejandro and Talvi, Ernesto, Sudden Stops, the Real Exchange Rate, and Fiscal Sustainability: Argentina's Lessons (July 2003). NBER Working Paper No. w9828, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=423301

Guillermo A. Calvo (Contact Author)

Columbia University - School of International & Public Affairs (SIPA) ( email )

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National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) ( email )

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Alejandro Izquierdo

Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) - Research Department ( email )

1300 New York Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20577
United States

Ernesto Talvi

Centro de Estudios de la Realidad Economica y Social (CERES) ( email )

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11300 Montevideo
Uruguay
(5982)628-7703 / 628 76 44 (Phone)
(5982)622-0526 (Fax)

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