1 Introduction
Optimal macroeconomic policy is countercyclical, aiming at keeping output
close to its potential. However it is often argued that emerging market
economies are unable to adopt countercyclical fiscal and monetary policies.
Their ability to adopt optimal stabilization policies is severely hampered
by factors such as recurring credit constraints in international capital markets
(or "sudden stops" a la Calvo and Reinhart 2000), fragile domestic
financial systems, high level o f foreign-currency denominated liabilities,