A simple model shows that managerial agency problems can make countries
with weak legal systems vulnerable to the effects of a sudden loss of investor
confidence. Countries with only weakly enforceable minority shareholder rights
are particularly vulnerable. If such a country experiences even a small loss of
confidence, outside investors reassess the likely amount of expropriation by
managers and adjust the amount of capital they are willing to provide. The
result can be a fall in asset values and a collapse of the exchange rate.