Cassel, Davidson and Heckscher on Swedish monetary polley. A confidential report to the<i>Riksbank</i>in 1931

Abstract

Abstract When Sweden was forced to leave the gold standard in September 1931—one week after the Bank of England had taken the same step—the Swedish authorities declared that the aim of Swedish monetary policy should be to stabilize the internal purchasing power of the krona. that is, a price stabilization norm was adopted by the Government as the guide for the Riksbank. The Riksbank, left with the task of implementing this policy, turned to three renowned economists for advice, Gustav Cassel, David Davidson and Eli Heckscher. Their recommendations concerning the proper aims and means for Swedish monetary policy, given in three separate reports at the end of October 1931, have thus far remained classified documents, kept in the archives of the Riksbank.