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9708 · 11.1

Policies to correct disequilibrium in the balance of payments

**BOP policies** (11.1) differ from **6.5** AS tools — focus on **open economy** constraints and **exchange rate** effects. Always name policy type: switching vs reducing.

Need to know

What you need to know

  • BOP disequilibrium refers to a persistent deficit or surplus in the balance of payments, most commonly the current account.
  • Expenditure-switching policies manipulate relative prices to make exports cheaper and imports more expensive.
  • Expenditure-reducing policies lower aggregate demand to cut overall spending, including on imports.
  • Policy choice often involves trade-offs with other objectives like low unemployment and stable economic growth.

Explanation

Policies to correct disequilibrium in the balance of payments

  1. BOP disequilibrium refers to a persistent deficit or surplus in the balance of payments, most commonly the current account.
  2. Expenditure-switching policies manipulate relative prices to make exports cheaper and imports more expensive.
  3. Expenditure-reducing policies lower aggregate demand to cut overall spending, including on imports.
  4. Policy choice often involves trade-offs with other objectives like low unemployment and stable economic growth.