This paper estimates a DSGE model with many types of shocks and frictions for both the US and the euro area economy over a common sample period (1974-2002). The structural estimation methodology allows us to investigate whether differences in business cycle behaviour are due to differences in...

Anniversaries are occasions for remembrance and reflections on one's history. Many central banks take the occasion of an anniversary to publish books on their history. In this essay we discuss five recent books on the history of central banking and monetary policy. In these volumes, the Great...

The paper evaluates the implications of the Smets and Wouters (2004) DSGE model for the US yield curve. Bond prices are modelled in a way that is consistent with the macro model and the resulting risk premium in long term bonds is a function of the macro model parameters exclusively. When the...