To what extent has the real exchange rate of the US dollar been as stable as is justified by the ”fundamentals” – fiscal policy, private saving ratio, productivity, rate of return on investment, real long‐term rate of interest? What factors can explain the persistent and large deviations from purchasing power parity? How can we calculate whether the US dollar is over or undervalued? What has produced the US current account deficits? How do international financial markets affect the responses of the US economy to internal and external disturbances?

To what extent has the real exchange rate of the US dollar been as stable as is justified by the ”fundamentals” – fiscal policy, private saving ratio, productivity, rate of return on investment, real long‐term rate of interest? What factors can explain the persistent and large deviations from purchasing power parity? How can we calculate whether the US dollar is over or undervalued? What has produced the US current account deficits? How do international financial markets affect the responses of the US economy to internal and external disturbances?