Britain and the Sterling Area: From Devaluation to Convertibility in the 1950s / Edition 1

by Dr Catherine Schenk

Overview

To complement current work on the British domestic economy in the post-war period it is necessary to examine external economic policy. Whilst considerable work has been done on Britain's relations with Europe and with America, the complexities of the sterling area have remained obscure. This volume makes a significant contribution to unravelling the strands of British external economic policy in the post-war period.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781138865792
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	12/02/2014
Pages:	176
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Catherine R. Schenk was awarded her BA and MA at the University of Toronto, and her Ph.D. at the London School of Economics. After two years at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, she now works on international economic history at Royal Holloway College (University of London).

Table of Contents

1 INTRODUCTION The debate on the sterling area; The evolution of the post-war sterling area; The sterling area and the international economy 2 THE STERLING BALANCES Identifying the sterling balances; The mechanics of the sterling balances system; The sterling balances and confidence; The sterling balances and development; The sterling balances and domestic monetary policy 3 INTERNATIONAL TRADE The pattern of sterling area trade; The system of controls; Quantitative restrictions 1949–50; The Korean War boom 1950–1; Return to restrictions, 1952; The sterling area and UK export competitiveness 4 INVESTMENT IN THE STERLING AREA; Capital flows and British policy; The volume of long-term capital flows; Investment and growth; Impact on the balance of payments; Capital flows as a cohesive factor 5 THE STERLING AREA AND STERLING POLICY The ROBOT Plan and flexible exchange rates; The collective approach to convertibility; The administrative approach to convertibility 6 CONCLUSIONS

Editorial Reviews

‘Provides a refreshing, lucid analysis which will undoubtedly stimulate further comment.'

From the Publisher