Capital Mobility in the World Economy: Theory and Measurement

Working Paper: NBER ID: w1692

Authors: Maurice Obstfeld

Abstract: This paper is a critical assessment of some recent empirical evidence on the extent of international capital mobility. Its major conclusion is that while much of this evidence is difficult to interpret without ambiguity, it is consistent with a world economy in which the degree of capital mobility is high and increasing. Two main approaches to the measurement of capital mobility are discussed. The first, traditional, approach is based on comparing expected yields on assets located in different countries. The second,and more novel, approach is based on comparing national saving rates and domestic investment rates.

Keywords: capital mobility; international finance; saving-investment correlation

JEL Codes: F21; F32


Causal Claims Network Graph

Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.


Causal Claims

CauseEffect
Domestic saving (D14)Domestic investment (E22)
High capital mobility (F20)Strong cross-border linkages (F55)
Domestic saving policies (D14)Domestic investment rates (F21)
Innovations in saving (O35)Innovations in investment (O35)

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