This book studies the formal creation and the gradual change of the Stability and Growth Pact in the European Monetary Union (EMU). The book explains why and how the Pact was pushed through by Germany despite fierce opposition from the majority of member states. It provides a unique, in-depth analysis of how a new coalition of member states, including Germany, achieved a creeping reinterpretation of the rules which prepared the way for a formal reform of the Pact in 2005, ten years after its invention. Four case studies show why and how the margin of maneuver inherent in the Pact was used to accommodate the preferences of those governments which were in breach of the Pact, and explains how they managed to lower the costs of change. To analyze these formal and informal dynamics, the study develops a model of institutional change which focuses on the actors, their preferences, and the systemic intermediation of national preferences. This model is applicable to other policy fields in the multi-level EU system. By offering new insights into the conflict potential inherent in the interplay of national preferences and European fiscal rules, the book feeds into the recent debate on the necessity and feasibility of a political union in the evolving EMU.

Recently, monetary authorities have increasingly focused on implementing policies to ensure price stability and strengthen central bank independence. Simultaneously, in the fiscal area, market development has allowed public debt managers to focus more on cost minimization. This “divorce” of monetary and debt management functions in no way lessens the need for effective coordination of monetary and fiscal policy if overall economic performance is to be optimized and maintained in the long term. This paper analyzes these issues based on a review of the relevant literature and of country experiences from an institutional and operational perspective.

This book studies the international coordination of monetary and fiscal policies in the world economy. It carefully discusses the process of policy competition and the structure of policy cooperation. As to policy competition, the focus is on monetary and fiscal competition between Europe and America. Similarly, as to policy cooperation, the focus is on monetary and fiscal cooperation between Europe and America. The spillover effects of monetary policy are negative while the spillover effects of fiscal policy are positive. The policy targets are price stability and full employment. The policy makers follow either cold-turkey or gradualist strategies. Policy expectations are adaptive or rational. The world economy consists of two, three or more regions. The present book is part of a larger research project on European Monetary Union, see the references at the back of the book. Some parts of this project were presented at the World Congress of the International Economic Association in Lisbon. Other parts were presented at the International Institute of Public Finance, at the Macro Study Group of the German Economic Association, at the Annual Meeting of the Austrian Economic Association, at the Gottingen Workshop on International Economics, at the Halle Workshop on Monetary Economics, at the Research Seminar on Macroeconomics in Freiburg, and at the Passau Workshop on International Economics.

Presenting a sweeping analysis of the legal foundations, institutions, and substantive legal issues in EU monetary integration, The EU Law of Economic and Monetary Union serves as an authoritative reference on the legal framework of European economic and monetary union. The book opens by setting out the broader contexts for the European project - historical, economic, political, and regarding the international framework. It goes on to examine the constitutional architecture of EMU; the main institutions and their legal powers; the core legal provisions of monetary and economic union; and the relationship of EMU with EU financial market and banking regulation. The concluding section analyses the current EMU crisis and the main avenues of future reform.

At the launch of the Euro, predictions about what has been dubbed "Euroland" were mixed. Supporters say the unprecedented switch to a single currency will benefit business and consumers alike. But critics warn that EMU is a giant leap into the unknown. The purpose of this book is to bring together the available evidence to date about EMU, focusing on European monetary and fiscal policy. Sylvester Eijffinger and Jakob de Haan have produced a fresh and forward-looking account of the issues surrounding monetary integration. Their analysis includes the functions and goals of the European Central Bank, the Treaty on European Union, the Stability and Growth Pact, and the harmonization of taxes. They go on to discuss the targets and instruments of European monetary policy, the relationships between the 'ins' and 'outs' within Europe, the integration of European financial markets, and the competition between financial institutions in Europe. Finally, the international role ofthe Euro and future of international policy co-ordination are investigated. The text has been presented for maximum clarity: each chapter concludes with a summary of the main issues, and case material and key topics are highlighted in boxes in order to help students focus on essential information. This thorough, innovative, and well-researched analysis has been carefully tailored to meet the course needs of undergraduate students of economic integration, European economics, international economics, and European studies.

This paper reviews empirical and theoretical work on the links between banks and their governments (the bank-sovereign nexus). How significant is this nexus? What do we know about it? To what extent is it a source of concern? What is the role of policy intervention? The paper concludes with a review of recent policy proposals.

Leading scholars and policy makers examine the challenges that are facing economic policies in the EMU today.