The confidence in the stability of the currency
The Argentine government’s adherence to the old Consumer Price Index formula has raised concerns about the trustworthiness of public statistics and inflation data, leading to an increase in country risk and a fall in Argentine bonds.
The Argentine government's commitment to maintaining the outdated Consumer Price Index (CPI) formula has sparked a debate about the credibility of public statistics, significantly affecting perceptions of inflation data which rely heavily on social legitimacy. This situation has led to immediate repercussions in the financial markets, marked by a rise in country risk and a decline in Argentine bonds, reflecting investors' lack of confidence in the government’s economic policies.
The article emphasizes the need for public numbers to remain beyond reproach, noting Argentina's historical context of severe manipulation of public statistics—particularly under figures like Guillermo Moreno, where data was exploited as a political tool. This manipulation has fostered skepticism about the authenticity of the reported figures, which are fundamental for informed economic decisions. The writer suggests that ongoing reflection and discourse about the grounds of legitimacy in public statistics are necessary for rebuilding trust.
Moreover, the discussion links inflation directly to currency stability, considering that inflation is not merely a monetary phenomenon but is intertwined with social dynamics. The author posits that both monetary and political order depend on social trust as their principal legitimacy. The stability of Argentina's currency is portrayed not just as an economic issue but as a critical factor for social order and cohesion, highlighting the challenges that lie ahead for the government in restoring public confidence and accountability in its economic management.