Sovereign default and liquidity: The case for a world safe asset

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of International Economics
Year: 2021
Volume: 131
Issue: C

Authors (2)

Le Grand, François (not in RePEc) Ragot, Xavier (Sciences Po)

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

This paper presents a positive and normative study of a world financial market when sovereign countries can default on their debt. We construct a tractable model that enables us to study sovereign default in general equilibrium. The amount of safe assets is thus endogenous and determined by international risk-sharing. We characterize the equilibrium structure and we show that the market equilibrium can generate multiple equilibria. In addition, the market equilibrium is not constrained-efficient because countries do not fully internalize the value of their debt being used as liquidity. We prove that a world fund issuing a safe asset increases aggregate welfare. The fund's relationship with the IMF's Special Drawing Rights is discussed.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:inecon:v:131:y:2021:i:c:s0022199621000398
Journal Field
International
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-29