HKS Affiliated Authors
Minos A. Zombanakis Professor of the International Financial System
Excerpt
Excerpt
The Pitfalls of External Dependence: Greece, 1829-2015. Carmen Reinhart, October 2015, Paper. "Two centuries of Greek debt crises highlight the pitfalls of relying on external financing. Since its independence in 1829, the Greek government has defaulted four times on its external creditors – with striking historical parallels. Each crisis is preceded by a period of heavy borrowing from foreign private creditors. As repayment difficulties arise, foreign governments step in, help to repay the private creditors, and demand budget cuts and adjustment programs as a condition for the official bailout loans. Political interference from abroad mounts..." Link