1. Basic Theories of the Balance of Payments
Chapter 17
Basic Theories of the Balance of Payments

2. Topics to be Covered Elasticities Approach to the Balance of Trade
Price Elasticity of Demand
J Curve Effect
Currency Contract Period
Pass-through Analysis
Evidence from Devaluations
Absorption Approach to the Balance of Trade
Monetary Approach to the Balance of Payments
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3. Basic Theories Theories of the Balance of Trade (No Capital Flows)
Elasticities Approach
Absorption Approach
Monetary Approach to the Balance of Payments
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4. The Elasticities Approach
The elasticities approach examines how changing relative prices of domestic goods and foreign goods resulting from a change in the exchange rate will affect the balance of trade of a country.
For example, the relative price effect of a Japanese yen devaluation should increase U.S. demand for Japanese goods (as the $ price of Japanese goods fall) and decrease Japanese demand for U.S. goods (as the yen price of U.S. goods rise).
How much quantity demanded changes in response to the relative price change is determined by the elasticity of demand.
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5. Price Elasticity of Demand
The price elasticity of demand measures the responsiveness of quantity demanded to a change in the product’s price.
The coefficient of elasticity of demand is equal to the percentage change in quantity demanded divided by the percentage change in price, that is:
Similarly, we can compute a price elasticity of supply.
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6. Elasticity of Demand (cont.)
If the % change in quantity demanded exceeds (is less than) the % change in price, then demand is said to be elastic (inelastic).
With an elastic (inelastic) demand, total revenue (or price times quantity) will move in the opposite (same) direction as the price change.
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7. Supply and Demand for British Pounds
Refer to Figure 17.1
Downward-sloping demand curve for pounds
Upward-sloping supply curve of pounds
Given that the market is in equilibrium, suppose there is an increase in the demand for pounds (i.e., demand curve shifts to the right).
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9. Possible Responses to an Increase in Demand for Pounds
With flexible or freely floating exchange rates, the pound will appreciate.
A central bank can fix or peg the exchange rate at the original level by supplying more pounds from its foreign reserves.
Foreign exchange controls or quotas can be used to restrict the demand and supply of pounds.
Quotas or tariffs can be imposed on trade to maintain the original demand and supply curves.
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10. The J Curve
The J curve refers to the time pattern of the trade balance following an official central bank devaluation. The pattern traces out a path similar to the letter J, that is, after the devaluation, the balance of trade deteriorates for a while before improving.
Refer to Figure 17.2
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12. Causes of the J Curve Effect
The Currency Contract Period
The Pass-Through Effect
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13. Currency Contract Period
Currency Contract Period—refers to the time period immediately following a devaluation when contracts signed prior to the devaluation are settled.
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14. Currency Contract Period and Trade Balance Effects
The effects of fixed contracts on the balance of trade depend on the currency in which the contract is denominated.
Refer to Table 17.1 for possible cases
Based on Table 17.1, foreign currency-denominated imports is a necessary condition for the U.S. trade balance to exhibit the J curve effect.
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16. Pass-through Analysis
Pass-through analysis—examines the ability of goods prices to adjust in the short run. After devaluation, it is expected that import prices rise in the devaluing country and that prices of its exports fall.
Refer to Table 17.2 for possible effects following a U.S. devaluation (quantities held constant due to inelastic demands or supplies).
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18. Evidence from Devaluations
Effects of devaluation differ across countries and time.
One reason is that producers in different countries (e.g., Japan and Germany) adjust their profit margins on exports to offset the effect of exchange rate changes. This behavior is called pricing to market (see Item 17.1).
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19. Evidence (cont.)
Studies show that in countries where the capital-labor ratio is low, devaluations tend to result in export expansion and economic growth.
Evidence from studies also indicate that the adjustment of goods prices to changes in exchange rates takes a long time (as much as three years).
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20. The Absorption Approach
The absorption approach is a theory of the balance of trade in goods and services that emphasizes how domestic spending changes relative to domestic production. The balance of trade is the difference between what the economy produces and what it consumes or absorbs.
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21. Absorption Approach (cont.)
Given the national output (Y) identity,
where C is consumption, I investment, G government spending, EX exports, and IM imports, define absorption A as:
A = C + I + G
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22. Absorption Approach (cont.)
Thus,
Y = A + EX – IM Or
If total output exceeds absorption, then the country will export its surplus and the current account will be in surplus.
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23. Absorption Approach (cont.)
Suppose the country devalues its currency, then there are two possibilities:
With unemployed resources, devaluation will increase exports and output without inflation.
With full employment, devaluation will raise exports and lead to inflation as domestic prices are bid up.
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24. Monetary Approach to the Balance of Payments (MABP)
Unlike the elasticities and absorption approaches, the MABP incorporates both the current account (trade in goods and services) and trade in financial assets.
The basic premise is that any balance of payments disequilibrium is based on monetary disequilibrium, or the difference between the amount of money people want to hold and the amount supplied by monetary authorities.
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25. MABP vs. MAER
The monetary approach to the balance of payments (MABP) applies to countries with fixed exchange rates.
The monetary approach to the exchange rate (MAER) applies to countries with flexible or freely floating exchange rates.
The adjustment mechanism, or the process by which disequilibrium is eliminated, depends on the exchange rate system. With fixed exchange rates, adjustment is through international money flows, while with floating rates, adjustment is via changes in the exchange rate.
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26. Simple Model of the MABP
Basic concepts and assumptions:
Base Money is currency plus commercial bank reserves held against deposits.
Domestic Credit (D) is the domestic component of base money.
International Reserves (R) is the foreign part of base money consisting primarily of foreign exchange.
Assume a small, open economy.
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27. Model of MABP (cont.) The model contains equations for:
Demand for money:
Supply of Money:
Law of One Price:
Money Market Equilibrium:
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28. MABP Model (cont.)
Substituting and evaluating in terms of percentage changes, we get:
R – E = PF + Y – D
With fixed exchange rates, E = 0, and we have the MABP equation.
A percentage increase in domestic credit, holding foreign prices and income constant, will lead to a percentage decrease in international reserves.
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29. MABP Model (cont.)
A percentage increase in either domestic income or foreign prices, other things constant, will lead to an increase in international reserves.
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30. Policy Implications of MABP
Balance of payments disequilibria are monetary phenomena.
Balance of payments disequilibria are transitory.
Balance of payments disequilibria can be handled with domestic monetary policies rather than with exchange rate adjustments.
Domestic balance of payments will be improved by an increase in domestic income via an increase in money demand, if not offset by an increase in domestic credit.
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