Analyzing the persistence of currency substitution using a ratchet variable: the Turkish case

Abstract

Although previous studies on currency substitution in Turkey confirm the existence of currency substitution, these works ignore whether this process reached an irreversible stage or not. This paper analyzes the persistence of currency substitution in Turkey through inclusion of a ratchet variable, the past peak value of the currency substitution. Results using an autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach suggest that currency substitution during 1990-93 is not persistent enough to be irreversible. During 1995-99, even though currency substitution in the narrow sense is persistent, currency substitution in the broader sense is not irreversible. Therefore, there is still room for effective monetary policy.