Fixed ideas of money : small states and exchange rate regimes in twentieth-century Europe / Tobias Straumann.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction -- Part I. The Interwar Years: 1. Early divergence; 2. The return to prewar parity; 3. Fear of experiments; 4. The dissolution of the gold bloc -- Part II. After Bretton Woods: 5. Fixed versus floating; 6. Hard and soft pegs; 7. The Swiss exception; 8. Floating in the north -- Conclusion.

"Most European countries are rather small, yet we know little about their monetary history. This book analyses for the first time the experience of seven small states (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland) during the last hundred years, starting with the restoration of the gold standard after World War I and ending with Sweden's rejection of the Euro in 2003. The comparative analysis shows that for the most part of the twentieth century the options of policy makers were seriously constrained by a distinct fear of floating exchange rates. Only with the crisis of the European Monetary System (EMS) in 1992-93 did the idea that a flexible exchange rate regime was suited for a small open economy gain currency. The book also analyses the differences among small states and concludes that economic structures or foreign policy orientations were far more important for the timing of regime changes than domestic institutions and policies"-- Provided by publisher.

"1. The book treats a new topic: monetary history of seven small states across the 20th century; 2. It shows the crucial importance of economic ideas and monetary theories in policy making; 3. It has a long-term perspective: 100 years of European monetary history; 4. The results are relevant for the understanding of the current/recent financial and economic crisis"-- Provided by publisher.

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