In a free market, what factors underlie currency exchange values? Which factors best apply to long and short-run exchange rates?

Short Answer

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Currency exchange values in a free market are influenced by factors including inflation rates, interest rates, public debt, terms of trade, political stability and economic performance. In the short-run, exchange rates may be affected more by speculations, changing market sentiments, and sudden changes in policies, while in the long run, sustained economic growth, consistent government policies, and stability in inflation and interest rates are more important.

Step by step solution

01

Defining Key Terms

Start by outlining the definitions of key terms. A free market is an economic system in which prices are determined by unrestricted competition between businesses, without government intervention. Currency exchange refers to the act of changing one country's currency into another country's currency. Long-run and short-run exchange rates refer to variations in exchange rates over different periods of time.
02

Identifying Factors That Influence Currency Exchange Values

Next, identify the factors that influence exchange rates. These can include inflation rates, interest rates, public debt, terms of trade, political stability and economic performance. These factors can cause a currency to appreciate (increase in value) or depreciate (decrease in value).
03

Differentiating Factors for Short-run and Long-run

Finally, distinguish between the factors that affect short-run and long-run exchange rates. In the short-run, speculations, news events, sudden changes in policies, and market sentiments can cause existing exchange rates to fluctify significantly. In the long run, however, factors like sustained economic growth, consistent government policies, stability in inflation and interest rates are more important in setting exchange rates.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Identify the factors that account for changes in a currency's value over the long run.

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