this post was submitted on 13 Dec 2023
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[–] [email protected] 55 points 1 year ago (4 children)

I am not in any way qualified to ask this question, but wouldn't devaluing your currency by half cause 100% inflation on all imports, and effectively double all foreign denominated debts?

[–] joelimgu 45 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (3 children)

Yes in normal countries. But Argentina has an official fixed rates that is unrelated to reality. This means there are two exchange rates, the official one and the real one. Thie measure just puts the official one closer to the real one. And as Argentina uses gov money to pay the official rate thus this reduces the gov expenses and in the long term it stabilises the currency. Yes, in the short term its a shock to the economy making some thins more expensive (for those that had access to the gov rate) but its just bc before the gov subsidised those things indirectly.

Most of the ideas of this president are actually good. Its just a shame that he has to insult and act to apply them. He's just doing what the IMF has proposed for years and telling everyone it's a revolution.

[–] alvvayson 23 points 1 year ago

Correct. Usually when governments devalue currency, it's a move to find equilibrium slightly above the black market value of that currency.

I read that the official rate was 380 to the dollar and is now 800, while black market rate was 1000.

So this devaluation is still 20% higher than the black market rate.

[–] masquenox 1 points 1 year ago (2 children)

He’s just doing what the IMF has proposed for years

So he's just throwing Argentina to the neoliberal wolves?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Isn't that like his whole thing to do unregulated capitalism?

[–] masquenox 4 points 1 year ago

Pretty much. This is not just going to be an Argentinian thing... capitalists desperately funding politicians into power that makes no secret of their willingness to sabotage economies for the benefit of the rich is something we're probably going to be seeing more and more of in the future.

[–] joelimgu 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

In particular yes. And even if its usually a bad idea an equilibrium must be found between social services and Liberal policies. And Argentina is clearly in much need of some Liberal policies. This president might take it too far, making some irreparable mistakes like doralisation, but seeing the state of the Argentinian economy its provably an overall positive. But again, its. Abit sad that he feels like insulting is the way to do it.

Also, the IMF usually gives good advice to counties, most of its bad reputation comes from them trying to impose unpopular measures to counties on the border of collapse and it usually fails. But that's like blaming Hospitals for not beeing able to save all patients. They usually ask for a but too much (as you said they are liberals after all) but its a good idea to listen to them

[–] masquenox 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Also, the IMF usually gives good advice to counties

Oh... is "destroy your infrastructure for the benefit of US corporations" (somehow) "good advice" now?

[–] joelimgu 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Bc it isnt that. It usually is: stop giving money to people if you're in debt, and keep your word to guive stability to you economy to attract investors. Obviously sometimes they give bad advice but its usually a good idea to listen to the IMF

[–] masquenox -1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Bc it isnt that

No. It is. Do you need me to paste links to the actual small-print of those (so-called) "trade agreements" the US manipulates 3rd world countries into signing?

You know... the ones where the US dictates that it's criminally insane and mentally diseased "free market" ideology should take precedence over the needs of the people living inside those countries? So here... let me fix your little statement for you:

nd keep your word to guive stability to you economy to attract ~~investors~~ capitalist looters and pillagers.

Is this starting to gel or do I have to draw you a picture?

[–] joelimgu 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Changing the language doesn't change the output. You can call it whatever you want. But its a fact that a modern economy needs to participate in the global markets. Ite either that or self reliance (which means no oil, no smartphones, no imports generally). I am supposing that you dont want the second one.

From this the only conclusion is that a country needs to produce something and be competitive, and the easiest way to do that is with investment.

All those things are facts. Now, are there alternatives? Obviously, for example, France's economy is in big part goverment run with success. But for that you need to maintain a competent government which in Argentinas I think we can agree that it is not the case.

So, you either establish a more or less free market with a bit of stability, or you have a competent gov. The IMF thinks the first is easier, and so it recomends it.

With that said, obviously some government intervention is needed and social policies are usually good, but to maintain those you need money, and sadly, you cant just print it (Again, Argentina is a great example for that).

[–] masquenox -2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Changing the language doesn’t change the output.

You are perfectly correct - no matter how you dress it up, neliberal capitalism will deliver the exact same results neoliberal capitalism has always delivered.

and be competitive,

Competitive at what? Impoverishing their own people to make billionaire parasites richer?

But for that you need to maintain a competent government which in Argentinas I think we can agree that it is not the case.

I don't know about that... how long ago was France ruled by a CIA-approved fascist dictator?

So, you either establish a more or less free market ~~with a bit of stability,~~ that is inherently unstable

FTFY.

The IMF thinks the first is ~~easier~~ better for US neocolonialism

FTFY again. Good thing for you I don't charge you for editing, eh?

and sadly, you cant just print it

Nobody bothers just printing money these days... it's literally just data. And yes... it's simply exists as that. An invention that can be made and unmade.

[–] joelimgu 1 points 1 year ago

Ok, you cant print it indefenetly (saying the opposite is just ignorant). Also, it can be better for neocolonialism and for the country, its not mutually exclusive.

And, can I as you how do you expect a country to buy oil, chips, planes, etc? A genuine question. If you dont export anything how do you convince other countries to guive you stuff?

When I say globally competitive I mean having something that other countries pay you to make, thats it. And why? So that you can then pay them to guive you stuff.

[–] [email protected] 23 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yes, but, it looks good on a certain internal report so no matter how much damage it does to poor People, go go austerity!
But never fear, the wealthy are already protected from any loss.

[–] chitak166 8 points 1 year ago

More and more I notice these economic failings only occur because a nation's ruling class is desperate to keep up with other nation's ruling classes.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago

Adding to the other answers, there is also a 100% or so tax on any purchases done outside of the country, this tax is meant to push the cost when using official dollar to match the actual value.

The main problem here is that the tax is not going away so official dollar is going from 365(actually 730) to 800(actually 1600) when the street value is around 1000.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I just read on a Spanish headline that with this little trick (and aid cuts) he just multiplied Argentinians electric bill by 6x

[–] Shardikprime 2 points 1 year ago

Nobody tell this guy who brought us up to this point then

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago
[–] masquenox 5 points 1 year ago

Oh, "shock therapy," eh?

That worked so great for Russia in the 90s... just ask any Russian oligarch!