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This book is the second of three volumes that uses the theory of Optimal Currency Areas (OCAs) and applied econometric techniques to provide the reader with a compact analysis of the Euro area, its evolution and future perspectives. Each volume of the series is dedicated to one of the three critical criteria for an OCA: 1) business cycle synchronization, 2) factor mobility and 3) the existence of a risk sharing system. This second volume deals with the criterion of factor mobility. The authors investigate and discuss whether there are signs of labor and capital mobility that have helped dampen economic shocks among the regions of the Euro during its short history. The book is of interest to a wide range of researchers in financial economics, macroeconomics and economic policy.

In this book, a historical analysis of the precedents of the euro is examined within the context of the current issues affecting the Eurozone and the long-term effects of the institutional changes implemented since 2010. The book begins by placing the Eurozone challenges in the historical context of previous monetary unions, drawing on the experience of the gold standard. It then specifically focuses on the problems arising from the running of permanent trade imbalances within the Eurozone. The authors explore the advantages and disadvantages of being a member of the Eurozone and attempt to measure the optimality of a currency area by the calculation of an index on internal macroeconomic asymmetries. They address the proposals recently made in favour of a fiscal union in the Euro zone; including the economic and political feasibility of fiscal transfers in the Eurozone. The final two papers discuss whether the monetary union is in fact more than just that, and whether it will lead inevitably to some form of political union if it is to survive. With chapters by leading experts from both Europe and the UK, this book will appeal to students in Economics, Finance, Politics, EU integration and European studies; as well as academics and professional economists doing research in EU integration, the Euro zone, monetary history and monetary and banking unions in Europe, the UK and elsewhere.

This book introduces readers to the world of international financial markets and their integration on a global and regional scale. The author presents the theoretical and practical issues concerning the processes of financial market integration, with a particular focus on the monetary union. The empirical research results are based on econometric modeling, thus simplifying them for a non-specialist audience, who can instead concentrate on the author's conclusions, which comprise the results of these complicated research methods. The author outlines the role and functions of financial markets in the economy, in particular the relationship between financial intermediaries and financial markets and tackles the question of integration of new EU member countries'financial markets within the eurozone. The integration of financial markets in an international context is inevitable, and the author argues that we must learn how to benefit from it from in terms of economic growth.This book will be a valuable resource for students of economics and finance, particularly those studying financial management and international business and finance, as well as professionals in these fields. Further, this book will be of interest to anyone looking to discover more about the problems of globalization and the integration of financial markets into the modern economy.

This book analyses business cycles synchronization in the Euro Area (EA), one of the 3 criteria that define Optimal Currency Areas (OCAs). Even before its launch, economists questioned whether the EA has what it takes to become an OCA. The onset of the sovereign debt crisis in 2010 confirmed the challenges relating to its construction. But did the EA change over time, and what key drivers may be necessary in the future to strengthen the common currency?

This book analyzes the effects of the recent crisis and evaluates potential solutions to the gridlock that is currently dominating the Eurozone and the European Union, concerning both the monetary policy and the budgetary and fiscal policy. The timely study highlights the main challenges that European political leaders will face in the months to come. Furthermore, its interdisciplinary approach embraces economic, financial and legal perspectives, so as to ensure the global coherence and comprehensiveness of its content. The contributors to this volume are prominent experts from the areas of Economics, Finance, Law, and Political Science, offering readers a multifaceted view of the topics discussed.

A fact-based treatise on the Eurozone crisis, with analysis of possible solutions The Incomplete Currency is the only technical — yet accessible — analysis of the current Eurozone crisis from a global perspective. The discussion begins by explaining how the Euro's architecture, the relationship between finance and the real economy, and the functioning of the Eurosystem in general are all at the root of the current crisis, and then explores possible solutions rooted in fact, not theory. All topics are analysed and illustrated, making extensive use of examples, tables, and graphics, and the ideas presented are supported by data sets and their statistical elaborations throughout the book. An extensive digital component includes numerical simulations of public debt dynamics for different Eurozone countries, evaluations of the sustainability of programmes like the Fiscal Compact, and stress tests on the ability of institutions like the ESM to cope with major liquidity crises, and the spreadsheets used to calculate data in the book is provided for readers to access for themselves. The survival of the European monetary union has been questioned due to the accumulation of structural imbalances and the negative effects of the global financial crisis. This book lays out the full extent of the problem, explains what caused it, and provides possible solutions backed by extensive data. Dig down to the root of the Eurozone crisis Learn why austerity doesn't fix anything Understand how the Euro has changed economies Consider possible strategies for recovery In a macroeconomic context where the monetary policy is the prerogative of the European Central Bank and fiscal policy, hopeless austerity works against the economic recovery of the Eurozone countries. A positive attitude is difficult, but necessary. The Incomplete Currency is an insightful, important resource that guides readers toward real solutions.

«Der Euroraum soll mit einer Stimme sprechen» – lautet die Herausforderung. In innovativer Weise erarbeitet die Autorin ein System der Außenvertretung des Euroraums. Sie entwickelt hierfür eine ergänzende, gedanklich und terminologisch eigenständige Systemlehre und erwägt zahlreiche Lösungsansätze. Das von ihr vorgeschlagene System stützt sie inhaltlich auf einen kohärenten Standpunkt des Euroraums und organisatorisch auf ein einheitliches Vertretungsmuster.

Eurozone Dystopia traces the origin of the Eurozone and shows how the historical Franco-German rivalry combined with the growing dominance of neo-liberal economic thinking to create a monetary system that was deeply flawed and destined to fail. William Mitchell argues that the political class in Europe is trapped in a destructive groupthink. Based on a flawed understanding of macroeconomic fundamentals, groupthink extols the virtues of the erroneous concept of the self-regulating free market and prevents Europe from seeing its own policy failures. As a result, millions are unemployed, with imperiled member states caught in a cycle of persistent stagnation and rising social instability.Providing a detailed historical analysis of the evolution of the Eurozone and its failings from the 1940s to the present day, the book argues that the Eurozone lacks the necessary monetary architecture, particularly the existence of a federal fiscal function which could have resolved the economic crisis quickly. The author examines the options available to Europe and concludes that an orderly abandonment of the euro and a return to national currencies is the superior option available. The justification for this conclusion is exhaustively argued within a Modern Monetary Theory framework.This thoughtful and accessible account of Europe's economic woes will appeal to all those who are seeking an explanation for the crisis and are receptive to sensible and credible alternatives to the current scenario.

Verfolgt die Politik gegenwärtig die falschen Rezepte zur Überwindung der Finanzkrise und Stabilisierung des Euro? Thomas Mayer empfiehlt in seiner Hayek-Vorlesung 2012 weniger Konstruktivismus in der Wirtschaftspolitik, einen besseren Ordnungsrahmen für das Spiel der Marktkräfte, die Verbindung von Souveränität und Haftung bei den Staatsfinanzen der EWU-Länder und (in der EWU und anderswo) entpolitisiertes Geld. Er erläutert, wie die Einsichten der österreichischen Schule in die Verbindungen zwischen Realwirtschaft und Finanzsektor in der Vergangenheit von der Politik und dem akademischen Mainstream weitgehend ignoriert wurden, zum Schaden für unser Gemeinwesen. Daraus scheint man auch heute nichts gelernt zu haben. Der Trend geht zu noch mehr Konstruktivismus, mehr Staat, der Vergemeinschaftung der finanziellen Haftung in der EWU und zur Politisierung des Geldes.

The authors uncover the roots of the eurozone crisis, focusing on how this can be solved against the backdrop of a very deep financial and economic crisis and its strong social impact. Looking at the impact of the financial crisis on the eurozone, they explore the European Union's recent and future developments.

The euro area remains in a state of flux and appears to be unsustainable in its present form. The outcome of the crisis may be unknown for years and a judgement on the project's success or failure may be out of reach for decades. In the meantime, analysts, portfolio managers and traders will still have daily, weekly, quarterly and annual benchmarks. They will have to analyze economic developments in the euro area and their impacts on financial assets. The objective of this book is to provide a framework for that analysis that is comprehensible to most financial market participants. The book begins with a focus on coincident and leading economic indicators for the euro area. The following section looks at euro-area institutions. The next chapter focuses on the euro crisis. It attempts to provide an explanation of its origins and a glimpse of the potential outcomes. In addition, the tools needed to analyze the crisis as it evolves are presented. The last sections provide information unique to the economies of Germany, France, the U.K., Switzerland, Sweden and Norway.

This paper evaluates the role of trade and financial linkages in the decision to enter a monetary union. We estimate a two-country DSGE model for the U.K. economy and the euro area, and use the model to compute the welfare trade-offs from joining the euro. We evaluate two alternative scenarios. In the first one, we consider a reduction of trade costs that occurs after the adoption of a common currency. In the second, we introduce interest rate spread shocks of the same magnitude as the ones observed during the recent debt crisis in Europe. The reduction of trade costs generates a net welfare gain of 0.9 percent of life-time consumption, while the increased interest rate spread volatility generates a net welfare cost of 2.9 percentage points. The welfare calculation suggests two ways to preserve the welfare gains in a monetary union: ensuring fiscal and financial stability that reduces macroeconomic country risk, and increasing wage flexibility such that the economy adjusts to external shocks faster.

A detailed and informed analysis of the current crisis facing the eurozone, examining the root causes and exploring the possible outcomes and uncertain future of the European Union and its currency. Chapters include case studies of Portugal, Ireland, Spain and Greece, as well as broader comparative perspectives.

The Euro area is an extremely unique and important currency area for two reasons. First, it is the single largest currency area to be created in an industrialized region and is important as a test case for regions contemplating the establishment of new currency areas, such as East Asia and North America. Second, it was established by sovereign states working as peers, which, despite various challenges, peacefully and autonomously decided to create a single currency area.Marking the 10th anniversary of the creation of the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Euro, this invaluable book analyzes the monetary policy of the ECB — the guardian of the Euro — by using recently developed econometric methods. The analysis performed in this book marks a substantial contribution toward understanding the significance of the Euro area as well as the future of the Euro from an international perspective.

Dieses Buch analysiert das Jahrhundertprojekt der europaweiten Vereinheitlichung des Massenzahlungsverkehrs durch das SEPA-Projekt (Single Euro Payment Area). Obwohl die Tragweite dieser Umgestaltung der europäischen Zahlungssysteme mit der Euro-Einführung vergleichbar ist, besteht darüber ein gravierendes Informationsdefizit im öffentlichen Diskurs. In diesem Buch findet sich eine kritische Analyse von SEPA aus wissenschaftlicher Perspektive. Im Mittelpunkt stehen Zahlungskartensysteme, da sie als zeitgemäße Zahlungsform in einer digitalisierten, globalisierten Welt von SEPA besonders betroffen sind. Die wichtigsten internationalen und nationalen Regulierungsinitiativen in diesem Bereich werden u.a. hinsichtlich der Interchange Fee einer eingehenden wissenschaftlichen Analyse unterzogen. Das Buch zeigt Handlungsalternativen für die Wirtschaftspolitik auf. Der derzeit verfolgte Ansatz läuft mangels einer soliden analytischen Fundierung Gefahr, die hochgesteckten Ziele und Erwartungen nicht erfüllen zu können.

This book seeks to offer the first in-depth and systematic analysis of the challenges of the Euro Area and the eastward enlargement of the European Union. It focuses in particular on how the prolonged process of accession to the Euro Area is affecting domestic economic policies in the accession states of east central Europe. It contributes to Europeanization studies, comparative political economy and to studies of Economic and Monetary Union. It also provides a picture of processes of domestic transformation in such countries as the three Baltic States, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Romania. The book brings together a range of recognized experts from across Europe and combines country and sectoral case studies with a thematic treatment. It begins by offering an'outside-in'perspective, which situates the effects of EMU on the accession states in the wider context of the development of global economic norms. The second part focuses on an'inside-out'analysis of how Euro Area accession affects the states of east central Europe - their policies, politics and public institutions. The final part assesses how Euro Area accession is affecting key policy sectors in east central Europe: financial market regulation, fiscal policies and welfare states and labour markets.