Working Papers
1992
September 1, 1992
Spain: Landmarks in Economic Development, 1939-92
Description: Recent success of the Spanish economy is frequently attributed to the benefits from economic integration into the European Community, which Spain joined in 1986. By contrast, this paper takes the view that, to a large extent, the origins of success may be traced back to earlier years and that the benefits from EC membership are best seen as reinforcing favorable trends already in effect. Exploring Spain’s economic development from a longer-run perspective, with emphasis on interaction of events at home and abroad, the paper assesses the financial and structural policy record for its contributions to success. Most significant are the “orthodox” stabilization and reform program under the auspices of the Fund in 1959, the “heterodox” adjustment program pursued on transition to democracy in 1977 and the differences in the response of policy to the oil crises of the early and late 1970s. On the whole, the approach to financial stabilization was radical, and that to structural reform gradual. The paper concludes that by mid-1980 Spain had largely accomplished the transition to a modern economy and prospects were favorable for sustainable expansion over the medium term. The mutually reinforcing effects of those circumstances and the subsequent process of integration into the EC spurred the further progress of Spain.
September 1, 1992
Treatment of Intercompany Transfer Pricing for Tax Purposes: A Survey of Legislative and Administrative Issues
Description: Tax authorities in several countries have intensified their surveillance of intercompany transfer pricing in recent years. This paper examines the legislative and administrative issues related to the treatment of intercompany transfer pricing for tax purposes. It reviews the existing international guidelines and national rules on methods for determining appropriate transfer prices, as well as the issues related to tax administration practices for the implementation of those rules. Various systems, proposed or introduced to improve the predictability of taxation, are also examined. This paper further reviews the recent discussions on the “commensurate-with-income” standard and the pricing methodologies proposed thereunder. It finally reviews some alternative approaches to international income allocation which are proposed or adopted in lieu of the transfer pricing approach.
September 1, 1992
External Shocks and Inflation in Developing Countries Under a Real Exchange Rate Rule
Description: This paper shows that the response of inflation to external shocks is very different when the authorities target the real exchange rate than when they follow a fixed exchange rate or a preannounced crawling peg. Specifically, shocks that would have no effect on the steady-state inflation rate under a fixed exchange rate are either inflationary or deflationary under a real exchange rate rule. Moreover, irrespective of the degree of capital mobility, the authorities will find it difficult to mitigate the destabilizing effects of real shocks on the price level by using monetary policy, except possibly in the very short run.
September 1, 1992
The Implications of Cross-Border Monetary Aggregation
Description: Some recent studies suggest the possibility of estimating a stable aggregate demand-for-money relationship for the group of countries participating in the European Monetary System. These results are of particular relevance in connection with the task of setting policy targets for a European Central Bank. This paper uses a theoretical error-invariables framework to identify what is gained and what may be lost through cross-border aggregation of money demand. It provides an analytical basis for such studies, paying particular attention to currency substitution and international portfolio diversification.
Notes: This paper uses a theoretical error-invariables framework to identify what is gained and what may be lost through corss-border aggregation of money demand.
September 1, 1992
Tax Farming: A Radical Solution for Developing Country Tax Problems?
Description: Systemic tax administration problems in many developing countries have led to a search for radical solutions. One such proposed solution is tax farming. Tax farming is a system wherein the right to collect taxes is auctioned off to the highest bidder. An analysis of the historical experience with tax farming shows that its purported administrative efficiency is largely illusory. While certain aspects of tax administration may be suitable for privatization, the classic form of tax farming would appear to have little attraction for a modern state concerned with justice and equity.
Notes: Also published in Staff Papers, Vol. 40, No. 1, March 1993.
September 1, 1992
Interest Rate Policy in Central and Eastern Europe: The Influence of Monetary Overhangs and Weak Enterprise Discipline
Description: Interest rate policy in the newly reforming Central and Eastern European countries has generally been geared toward establishing positive real interest rates and defending the exchange rate. The principal instrument for this task has been administrative increases in controlled interest rates. This paper examines the effect of these adjustments on inflation, the real interest rate and the exchange rate. It points out the risk that when financial discipline over enterprises is weak raising nominal interest rates may do little more than raise credit growth, the rate of depreciation and ultimately inflation. Simulations attempt to shed light on the importance of these linkages.
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