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This book describes the rise of the Swiss Franc to its current status as a strong currency of international importance.
List of contents
Introduction; Part I. Political and Economic Development of Switzerland: 1. The Swiss political system and general economic development since the formation of the Federal State (1848); Part II. A Chronological Review of Swiss Monetary History in the 19th and 20th Century: 2. Creation of a national currency (1848-1881); 3. The long road to a Swiss central bank (1881-1914); 4. World War I and the postwar period (1914-1929); 5. From the Great Depression to World War II (1929-1945); 6. Switzerland under the system of Bretton Woods (1945-1973); 7. The era of flexible exchange rates (1973-present); Part III. Key Questions and General Insights from Swiss Monetary Experience: 8. The Swiss experience with currency and note issue competition 1825-1905; 9. Swiss money demand and supply 1851-2010; 10. The Swiss interest island 1837-1970; 11. The Swiss Franc at the foreign exchange market 1850-2010; 12. Monetary and macroeconomic effects of Swiss banking and finance 1890-2010; Conclusion; Bibliography; Index.
About the author
Ernst Baltensperger is Professor Emeritus of macroeconomics at Universität Bern, Switzerland and former director of the study center Gerzensee of the Swiss National Bank. He studied economics at Universität Zürich and received his Ph.D. in economics from The Johns Hopkins University. He was an advisor to the Swiss National Bank and the Swiss Government, and served as an editor of several academic journals.Peter Kugler is Professor Emeritus of monetary economics at Universität Basel, Switzerland. He has held previous positions as Professor of statistics at Universität Basel, Switzerland, of econometrics at Universität Bern, Switzerland and economics at Universität Wien, Austria. He served as member of the scientific advisory board of the Deutsche Bundesbank and was external advisor to the Swiss National Bank and the Swiss Government.
Summary
This book describes the rise of the Swiss Franc to its current status as a strong currency of international importance, and uses this to demonstrate important insights into the organization and development of monetary institutions and currency. It will be of interest to academics studying macroeconomic history, the history of financial institutions, and comparative economic history.
Additional text
Advance praise: 'Two of Switzerland's most respected monetary economists offer us their unique perspective on two centuries of money and banking in Switzerland. Comprehensive and eminently readable, this is an excellent primer for anyone interested in Swiss financial history. Sweeping historical narrative, informative graphs, and careful econometric evidence give a fascinating overview of the evolution of the Swiss monetary system.' Stefan Gerlach, Chief Economist of BSI Bank and former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland, 2011-15
