1. Choosing an exchange rate system One of the oldest debates in economics is whether a currency should have a fixed or floating exchange rate. There is no single solution that fits all economies. The choice of an exchange rate system depends on many factors, including the openness to international trade, maturity of the financial system, inflation, labor market flexibility, and credibility of policy makers. Consider two countries, Opland and Lovenia. Opland has a central bank with a weak reputation. Lovenia has a strong central bank but much higher inflation than its trading partners