The and Social EffEconomic ects of Financial Liberalization: A Primer for Developing Countries

This paper considers the main elements of the standard pattern of fi nancial liberalization that has become widely prevalent in developing countries. The theoretical arguments in favour of such liberalization are considered and critiqued, and the political economy of such measures is discussed. The problems for developing countries, with respect to fi nancial fragility and the greater propensity to crisis, as well as the negative defl ationary and developmental effects, are discussed. It is concluded that there is a strong case for developing countries to ensure that their own fi nancial systems are adequately regulated with...