In this paper, we use a structural vector autoregression model to identify and compare demand and supply shocks between euro area countries and central and eastern European countries (CEECs). The shocks and the shock adjustment dynamics of these countries are also compared to EU countries that...

The model of a Social Market Economy (SME) defines a policy concept of economic order which is based on free markets but, at the same time, includes elements of social balancing. The term “Social Market Economy” can neither be found in the Treaty on European Union nor in the Treaty...

Recently the American Treasury Secretary, Nicholas Brady, launched a new initiative in which he proposed reducing the developing countries’ bank debt. What are the elements of the plan, and which countries would benefit? What problems does it entail? Can it bring about a decisive improvement...

Kürzlich ist die ursprünglich von James Tobin vorgeschlagene Steuer auf Devisenmarkttransaktionen wieder in die politische Diskussion gerückt. Die deutsche und die französische Regierung haben sich bereits im vergangenen Jahr positiv zur Einführung einer Tobin-Steuer geäußert. Anfang 2002...

This paper uses a structural vector autoregression to examine differences in demand and supply shocks and the response to these shocks between EMU member countries and three other groups of countries. The first group includes non-EMU EU countries, the second group EFTA countries and the third...

Since EMU represents a currency area with a GDP level and a world market share comparable to the United States, it is widely expected that the euro will become an important international currency. This paper suggests simple methods how to quantify the effects that EMU may exert on the roles of...

We analyze the effectiveness of the foreign exchange market interventions conducted by the European Central Bank (ECB) in the fall of 2000 to support the external stability of the euro. To this end, in a first step different channels through which interventions may influence exchange rate...

Capital controls lower the variability of the exchange rate and reduce the risk premium as well as the domestic interest rate. On the other hand, capital controls reduce the number of noise traders and, therefore, the risk-bearing capacity of the market, leading to higher interest rates and a...

Die Diskussion über die Besetzung des Chefpostens beim IWF hat deutlich gemacht, daß es über die künftigen Aufgaben der internationalen Institution unterschiedliche Auffassungen gibt. Vor allem die Reformvorschläge der „Meltzer-Kommission" fanden dabei ein großes Echo. Von welchen...