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abu yahya's definitions

Usonian

Of or related to the United States of America; term coined by Frank Lloyd Wright to refer to his new ideal for architecture. This word is preferable to "American" since there are dozens of countries in North and South America. In some Latin American countries, such as Brazil, the use of "American" to refer to US nationals is considered offensive and officially discouraged.
While Canadians and Usonians share a common heritage and close proximity, there are some subtle cultural differences.
by Abu Yahya October 16, 2008
mugGet the Usonianmug.

sovereign debt

(ECONOMICS) debt owned by a national government to all creditors foreign and domestic. Backed by the national government's power to tax.
Even after the International Monetary Fund worked out a bailout for Greece, other sovereign debt crises could still arise in Spain, Portugal, and Italy.
by Abu Yahya May 5, 2010
mugGet the sovereign debtmug.

central bank

(ECONOMICS) a financial institution that issues the national currency and administers monetary policy.

For the USA, the central bank is the Federal Reserve System.

In a few cases, the central bank is private, and otherwise similar to a regular commercial bank. In other cases, it is directly controlled by the head of government. In most cases, however, it is a government agency that is shielded from direct control.

OTHER IMPORTANT CENTRAL BANKS

European Union--European Central Bank (ECB).
Japan--Bank of Japan

China--People's Bank of China
United Kingdom--Bank of England

See also the International Monetary Fund and the Bank for International Settlements.
In the USA, as well as many other countries, the Treasury acts as the government's underwriter but the central bank controls the money supply using treasury securities and other forms of hot money. The central bank is usually responsible for managing the currency reserves, including foreign currency reserves, of its government. It also enforces banking laws and operates check clearing.

The BIS acts as a bank to most of the world's central banks.
by Abu Yahya May 5, 2010
mugGet the central bankmug.

fiscal deficit

the gap between revenues and expenditures for a government (over a given period of time); often referred to as an internal deficit or public deficit.
The public deficit accumulates over each time period (usually a year) into what is known as the public debt.

According to Keynesian and Neo-Keynesian economic theory, fiscal deficits are usually the most effective tool for stimulating economic activity; the actual choice of how the money is spent is less important.
In the USA, most states are not allowed to run fiscal deficits. In other federal republics, such as India and Argentina, they are allowed and frequently account for much of those countries' internal deficits.
by Abu Yahya February 14, 2009
mugGet the fiscal deficitmug.

real exchange rate

(ECONOMICS) ratio between a country's foreign exchange rate and the real purchasing power of its local currency.

The actual exchange rate between (say) the yen and the US dollar tells you nothing about the relative strength of the two currencies. The US dollar buys 92.57 yen (17 May 2010) right now, which sounds like a lot. But $100, converted into ¥9,257, only buys $71 worth of actual goods & services. In order for the yen:dollar exchange rate to reflect real purchasing power of the two currencies, the US dollar should be able to buy ¥130.

The real exchange rate for the US dollar against the Japanese yen is 1.41 (meaning the yen is costlier than the dollar in real terms).
The recent (March-May) fall of the euro against the US dollar has brought the real exchange rate of the two currencies into approximate parity.
by Abu Yahya May 18, 2010
mugGet the real exchange ratemug.

Federal Reserve System

(ECONOMICS) the central bank of the United States; often called "the Fed" for short. Sole bank of issue for the US dollar since 1971*; issuer of nearly all US currency since 1914.

Created in December 1913 through the Federal Reserve Act; while signed into law by Pres. Wilson, the basic outline of the FRB was developed by the Aldrich-Vreeland Committee (see Aldrich-Vreeland Act) during the Taft Administration (1909-1913).

In addition to issuing currency, the Fed is responsible for some (but not all) oversight of banks; management of the nation's money supply (using purchases and sales of US Treasury securities; see monetary policy); and management of a national check clearing system.

The Fed includes two central managing committees, the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC). It also has 12 district banks; each is known as a Federal Reserve Bank.

The Federal Reserve System is a member of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Bank of International Settlements (BIS).
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*Until 1971, the US Treasury issued a small share of bank notes, or "national notes." They were almost identical in appearance to Federal Reserve notes.

Between 1863 and 1935, federally chartered banks national banks were allowed to issue currency equal to 90% of US treasury securities deposited with the US Treasury. After 1914, when the Fed commenced operations, it nearly stopped entirely.
The Federal Reserve System has twelve district banks, whose management is chose by bank holding companies. The president of each district bank is himself likely to have been an officer of a bank holding company. Hence, regulatory capture was built into the system from the beginning.
by Abu Yahya May 5, 2010
mugGet the Federal Reserve Systemmug.

globollocks

Breathless and/or mendacious "Globalization" pieces from neoliberal commentators. A lot of pop economics insists that increased trade in services, intellectual property, and equities will solve every significant problem.
The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) is always good for a large steaming helping of globollocks.
by Abu Yahya September 28, 2008
mugGet the globollocksmug.

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