Keynes at the periphery: Currency hierarchy and challenges for economic policy in emerging economies

• Published in: Journal of post Keynesian economics 2017-04, Vol.40 (2), p.183-202
• Main Authors: de Paula, Luiz Fernando, Fritz, Barbara, Prates, Daniela M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Currency hierarchy; financial globalization; Keynesian policies
• ISSN: 0160-3477; 1557-7821
• DOI: 10.1080/01603477.2016.1252267

While the post Keynesian literature offers a rather clear concept for growth-oriented policies, it is necessary to adapt them for peripheral emerging economies. We base our analysis of an appropriate Keynesian policy mix for these countries on the concept of currency hierarchy, where the currencies of peripheral emerging economies have a lower liquidity premium than the currencies of advanced economies. The international asymmetry related to the currency hierarchy, amplified by financial globalization, imposes major constraints to the adoption of Keynesian policies for these economies. Under these conditions, we argue that domestic economic policy coordination should lay a major focus on a low policy rate and, especially, a competitive exchange rate for obtaining, at least, a balanced current account, in order to prevent capital flows boom-bust-cycles with subsequent financial crises. We conclude that it is a rather ambitious and long-term goal to climb up the currency hierarchy, especially under the current condition of financial globalization.