Background
A clean floating exchange rate, also referred to as a pure floating exchange rate, is a system where the value of a currency is allowed to fluctuate according to the foreign exchange market without direct government or central bank intervention.
Historical Context
The system of floating exchange rates became more prominent after the collapse of the Bretton Woods Agreement in 1971. Prior to this, most currencies were pegged to the US dollar or gold. Since then, many major economies have moved towards a floating regime to allow market forces to determine currency values.
Definitions and Concepts
Clean Floating Exchange Rate: A type of exchange rate where the currency’s value is determined solely by market forces like supply and demand without intervention from monetary authorities.
Pure Floating Exchange Rate: Another term for a clean floating exchange rate, emphasizing the absence of government or central bank actions.
Major Analytical Frameworks
Classical Economics
Classical economists typically support minimal government intervention, aligning with the concept of a clean floating exchange rate driven by market forces.
Neoclassical Economics
Neoclassical theory, which also promotes free markets, sees the clean floating exchange rate as a reflection of natural equilibrium in the foreign exchange market.
Keynesian Economics
While Keynesians might accept floating exchange rates, they often advocate for occasional government intervention to reduce volatility and achieve economic stability, which can contrast with the clean floating approach.
Marxian Economics
Marxian analysis might critique the clean floating system by focusing on how it could lead to destabilizing speculation and unequal power dynamics among nations.
Institutional Economics
Institutional economists could explore how norms, rules, and governance affect the functioning and outcomes of clean floating exchange rates in different countries.
Behavioral Economics
This framework would study how psychological factors and market sentiment impact currency values under a clean floating exchange rate regime.
Post-Keynesian Economics
Post-Keynesians are generally critical of an entirely clean floating system, advocating for managed exchange rates to stabilize economies and avoid harmful speculation.
Austrian Economics
Austrian economists, favoring free markets and minimal state intervention, often support clean floating exchange rates as they believe it reflects true market conditions.
Development Economics
This field might examine how emerging markets interact with clean floating exchange rates, considering both risks and opportunities for economic development.
Monetarism
Monetarists would analyze how clean floating exchange rates interact with monetary policy, focusing on controlling inflation and economic growth.
Comparative Analysis
Comparing clean floating exchange rates to other systems, such as managed floating, pegged, or fixed exchange rates, can provide insights into the advantages and limitations of market-driven currency values without state intervention.
Case Studies
- The transition of the UK from a pegged to a floating exchange rate system in 1992.
- Analysis of the performance of the US dollar under floating exchange rate regimes since 1973.
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- “Exchange Rate Regimes: Choices and Consequences” by Atish R. Ghosh and Anne-Marie Gulde
- “Currency Strategy: The Practitioner’s Guide to Currency Investing, Hedging and Forecasting” by Callum Henderson
Related Terms with Definitions
- Managed Floating Exchange Rate: A system where the currency is predominantly allowed to float in the market, but with occasional intervention from the government or central bank.
- Fixed Exchange Rate: An exchange rate system where a currency’s value is tied or pegged to another currency, basket of currencies, or a commodity such as gold.
- Pegged Exchange Rate: Similar to a fixed exchange rate, but allows slight fluctuations within a specified range to maintain economic stability.
