R. Alton Gilbert and A. Steven Holland assess the effects of the removal of deposit rate (Regulation Q) ceilings on the interest rates charged on mortgage loans. It is widely believed that the phase-out of interest rate ceilings on deposits at banks and thrift institutions has contributed to the rise in U.S. interest rates and, in particular, U.S. mortgage rates, over the last few years.
Dallas S. Batten and Mack Ott examine whether policymakers can do anything to reduce the dollar’s currently high exchange rate. While many commentators on U.S. economic policy have argued that the high value of the dollar is to blame for a variety of domestic and international ills, few have gone on to offer constructive proposals for U.S. policymakers.
K. Alec Chrystal discusses the performance of the British economy over the last few years. Focusing on the impact of the British government’s policies under Mrs. Thatcher, he argues that these policies have not been as restrictive as is often claimed.
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