Google
Sunday 
October 6, 2024 

AmosWEB means Economics with a Touch of Whimsy!

AmosWEBWEB*pediaGLOSS*aramaECON*worldCLASS*portalQUIZ*tasticPED GuideXtra CrediteTutorA*PLS
BACKWARD-BENDING LABOR SUPPLY CURVE: A labor supply curve that is positively-sloped for relatively small quantities of labor and negatively-sloped for relatively large quantities of labor. In other words, workers supply larger quantities of labor in response to a higher wage when the wage is relatively low. However, when the wage reaches a relatively high level, further increases in the wage entice workers to reduce the quantity supplied. The supply curve thus bends back on itself. The reason for the negatively-sloped, backward-bending segment rests with the tradeoff between labor and leisure. Workers decide to "spend" a portion of their higher wage "buying" more leisure time, and thus working less. The end result is that the higher wage decreases the quantity of labor supplied.

Visit the GLOSS*arama


FIXED EXCHANGE RATE:

An exchange rate that is established at a specific level and maintained through government actions (usually through monetary policy actions of a central bank). To fix an exchange rate, a government must be willing to buy and sell currency in the foreign exchange market in whatever amounts are necessary to keep the exchange rate fixed. A fixed exchange rate typically disrupts the balance of trade and balance of payments for a country. But in many cases, this is exactly what a country is seeking to do. This is one of three basic exchange rate policies used by domestic governments. The other two policies are flexible exchange rate and managed flexible exchange rate.
A fixed exchange rate is a government policy in which the exchange rate is "fixed" at a given level that might be above or below the equilibrium exchange rate achieved through the unrestricted interplay of demand and supply in the foreign exchange market. The presumption is that the international trade, the balance of trade, and the balance of payments achieved by the equilibrium exchange rate are not desireable.

More than a few nations have been compelled over the years to fix one or more of their exchange rates. A country might fix exchange rates at relatively low levels to increase exports and decrease imports, which generates a more "favorable" balance of trade. Alternatively one country might fix their exchange rate relative to that in another (often larger) country as a means of stabilizing their domestic economy.

The Foreign Exchange Market for Csonds

To illustrate the workings of a fixed exchange rate, consider the foreign exchange market for csonds, the national currency of the United Provinces of Csonda, presented in this exhibit. The horizontal axis measures the quantity of csonds exchanged and the vertical axis measures the price of csonds in terms of queolds, the currency of the Republic of Northwest Queoldiola.

The Foreign Exchange Market
The Foreign Exchange Market

The demand for csonds is given by the negatively-sloped demand curve, labeled D. The demand of csonds is then represented by the positively-sloped supply curve, labeled S. The intersection of the demand and supply curves is the equilibrium exchange rate for csonds, in terms of queolds. The exchange rate is 5 queolds per csond, with 100 csonds exchanged.

If the exchange rate is flexible, then it adjusts to eliminate any imbalance. A shortage -- quantity demanded exceeds quantity supplied -- induces an increase in the exchange rate. A surplus -- quantity supplied exceeds quantity demanded -- induces a decrease in the exchange rate.

Let's see what might happen if the Csondan government decides to fix the exchange rate at a level that is higher or lower than 5 queolds per csond.

Fixed Higher

Suppose, for example that the Csonda policy makers decide to fix the exchange rate between csonds and queolds at 6 queolds per csond. A click of the [Higher Rate] illustrates this alternative. As with any price above the equilibrium price, this higher exchange rate creates a market surplus. From a practical matter, the only way for Csonda to maintain the exchange rate at this level is to buy up the surplus of csondan currency, a task for the Csondan central bank. In essence the Csondan central bank decreases the Csondan money supply.

What are the likely consequences of this action?

  • First, on the international trade side, a higher exchange rate makes the Csondan currency more expensive, which is bound to discourage the purchase of Csondan exports. On the other side of the net exports equation, more expensive domestic currency makes foreign currency relatively cheaper, which is bound to encourage the purchase of foreign imports by the Csondan citizens.

  • Second, in terms of the balance of payments, the surplus in the foreign exchange market leads to a balance of payments deficit. As the Csondan central bank buys enough csonds to keep the rate fixed above equilibrium, there is an outflow of payments to other countries, which creates the balance of payments deficit.

Fixed Lower

Now let's say that the Csonda policy makers decide to fix the exchange rate between csonds and queolds at a less than equilibrium 4 queolds per csond. A click of the [Lower Rate] illustrates this alternative. As with any price below the equilibrium price, this lower exchange rate creates a market shortage. In this case, Csonda maintains the exchange rate at this level by selling csondan currency, which is a task that also falls on the Csondan central bank. In essence the Csondan central bank increases the Csondan money supply.

What are the likely consequences of this action?

  • First, on the international trade side, a lower exchange rate makes the Csondan currency less expensive, which is likely to encourage the purchase of Csondan exports. On the other side of the net exports equation, less expensive domestic currency makes foreign currency relatively more expensive, which is bound to discourage the purchase of foreign imports by the Csondan citizens.

  • Second, in terms of the balance of payments, the shortage in the foreign exchange market leads to a balance of payments surplus. As the Csondan central bank sells enough csonds to keep the rate fixed below equilibrium, there is an inflow of payments from other countries, which creates the balance of payments surplus.

Appreciation and Depreciation

The act of fixing an exchange rate above or below the flexible, equilibrium exchange rate cause what is technically termed either appreciation and depreciation.
  • Appreciation: A currency is said to appreciate in value if its exchange rate increases, such as an increase in the exchange rate of csonds from 5 queolds per csond to 6 queolds per csond. Currency appreciation makes exports from the country relatively more expensive resulting in fewer exports and usually more imports.

  • Depreciation: Alternatively, a currency is said to depreciate in value if its exchange rate decreases, such as a decrease in the exchange rate of csonds from 5 queolds per csond to 4 queolds per csond. Currency depreciation makes exports from the country relatively less expensive resulting in more exports and usually fewer imports.
Note that because exchange rates always come in pairs (queolds per csond versus csonds per queold), the appreciation of one currency means the depreciation of another currency. If one country implements policies that result in depreciation and a lower exchange rate, more often than not done to increase exports, then another country ends up with appreciation and a higher exchange rate, which results in a decrease in exports.

However, because most countries prefer more exports to fewer exports, depreciation policies of one country are not viewed favorably by its trading partner. The trading partner might even counter with its own currency deprecation policies, policies that might cancel or even surpass that of the first country.

Let the conflict begin!

These countries, and others drawn into the fray, are likely to run rampant with currency depreciation policies, especially domestic money supply increases. Each country trying to out "depreciate" the others. Unfortunately such policies are bound to cause domestic inflation and result in other problems in their domestic economies.

Why Fix?

Why might the Csondan government, or any other government for that matter, fix the exchange rate at a level either above or below the equilibrium level?
  • One, countries often fix their exchange rate below the equilibrium level to promote exports, limit imports, and generate a balance of payments surplus. These results are generally deemed "good" for a nation, promoting growth and prosperity, at least in the short run. However, a low exchange rate for one nation is necessarily a high exchange rate for another. In the long run, other nations are likely to pursue the same strategy, seeking to fix their exchange rates below equilibrium, too. Unfortunately, international trade and the foreign exchange markets are essentially a zero-sum game, all nations cannot undertake this strategy at the same time.

  • Two, a fixed exchange rate generally promotes stability in the global economy. Buyers and sellers, importers and exporters, have a degree of certainty which helps them plan for future trades and makes them more willing to enter into long-term contracts. Market conditions might cause an unrestrained equilibrium exchanged rate to rise above the selected fixed exchange rate at some times and fall below it at other times.

  • Three, fixing the exchange rate between a domestic currency and that of another nation is effectively the same as having a single currency. In large countries like the United States, the currency used by each state has a fixed exchange rate for that used by every other state (which wasn't necessarily the case in the colonial period). Often a smaller nation fixes its exchange rate to the currency of a larger, dominant nation as a means of integrating the two economies.

  • Four, one country might be "encouraged" (or forced) to fix exchange rates for their domestic currency through pressure from other countries or international government agencies (such as the International Monetary Fund) to achieve global goals. Countries, if left to their own accords, are prone to fixed exchange rates relatively low, which encourages exports, discourages imports, adversely affects other countries, and creates domestic inflation. To address the problems of low exchange rates, pressure might be imposed on a country to fix their exchange rates at higher levels.

Two Other Exchange Rate Policies

Two alternatives to a fixed exchange rate policy are flexible exchange rate and managed flexible exchange rate.
  • Flexible Exchange Rate: A flexible exchange rate, also termed floating exchange rate, is an exchange rate determined through the unrestricted interaction of supply and demand in the foreign exchange market. A flexible exchange rate means that a country is NOT trying to manipulate currency prices to achieve some change in the exports or imports. This policy is based on the presumption that the free interplay of market forces is most likely to generate a desireable pattern of international trade.

  • Managed Flexible Exchange Rate: A managed flexible exchange rate, what is also termed a managed float, is an exchange rate that is generally allowed to adjust due to the interaction of supply and demand in the foreign exchange market, but with occasional intervention by government. Most nations of the world currently use a managed flexible exchange rate policy. With this alternative an exchange rate is free to rise and fall, but it is subject to government control if it moves too high or too low. With managed float, the government steps into the foreign exchange market and buys or sells whatever currency is necessary keep the exchange rate within desired limits.

<= FIXED COSTFIXED INPUT =>


Recommended Citation:

FIXED EXCHANGE RATE, AmosWEB Encyclonomic WEB*pedia, http://www.AmosWEB.com, AmosWEB LLC, 2000-2024. [Accessed: October 6, 2024].


Check Out These Related Terms...

     | flexible exchange rate | managed flexible exchange rate | exchange rate policies | foreign exchange market | foreign exchange | exchange rate |


Or For A Little Background...

     | international finance | international trade | international economics | foreign trade | balance of trade | money | currency | open economy | closed economy | domestic sector |


And For Further Study...

     | balance of payments | current account | capital account | international market | free trade areas | trade barriers |


Related Websites (Will Open in New Window)...

     | Federal Reserve System | World Trade Organization | North American Free Trade Agreement | General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade | European Union | International Monetary Fund |


Search Again?

Back to the WEB*pedia


APLS

PURPLE SMARPHIN
[What's This?]

Today, you are likely to spend a great deal of time at a dollar discount store hoping to buy either a T-shirt commemorating the 2000 Olympics or a genuine fake plastic Tiffany lamp. Be on the lookout for fairy dust that tastes like salt.
Your Complete Scope

This isn't me! What am I?

Potato chips were invented in 1853 by a irritated chef repeatedly seeking to appease the hard to please Cornelius Vanderbilt who demanded french fried potatoes that were thinner and crisper than normal.
"You don't have to see the top of the staircase to take the first step.¾ "

-- Martin Luther King, civil rights leader

RTA
Regional Trading Arrangement
A PEDestrian's Guide
Xtra Credit
Tell us what you think about AmosWEB. Like what you see? Have suggestions for improvements? Let us know. Click the User Feedback link.

User Feedback



| AmosWEB | WEB*pedia | GLOSS*arama | ECON*world | CLASS*portal | QUIZ*tastic | PED Guide | Xtra Credit | eTutor | A*PLS |
| About Us | Terms of Use | Privacy Statement |

Thanks for visiting AmosWEB
Copyright ©2000-2024 AmosWEB*LLC
Send comments or questions to: WebMaster