Daily French and German interest rate changes since the Basle-Nyborg agreement of September 1987 are examined empirically. In particular, it is asked whether the shock associated with German unification altered the degree of leadership of German monetary policy in the exchange rate mechanism...

This paper reviews a range of studies that examine differences in growth performance among transition countries. There is a consensus in the literature about the core elements of transition and the policies necessary for sustainable growth, although considerable differences remain about how to...

This paper reviews a range of studies that examine differences in growth performance among transition countries. There is a consensus in the literature about the core elements of transition and the policies necessary for sustainable growth, although considerable differences remain about how to...

To examine the impact of inflation on portfolio choice, this paper estimates a complete system of asset and liability demands for the U.K. nonbank private sector from 1976 through 1985. Among other results, it is found that higher inflation induces investors to take on more debt and to invest...

The implications of European fiscal harmonization for the French economy are examined using a general equilibrium model. The model extends the overlapping generations, simulation model developed by Auerbach and Kotlikoff in three ways: a well-developed external sector is included; households face...

Recent research has highlighted the role that the government budget constraint plays in determining the consumer price level. According to the fiscal approach to price determination, prices adjust so that the discounted value of future real government primary surpluses equals the current real...

Pension reform in Poland is an urgent priority. Benefit expenditures have placed considerable pressure on public finances, hampering stabilization efforts. Demographic developments will exacerbate this pressure although probably less than some estimates have suggested. The main long-term...

Recent research has highlighted the role that the government budget constraint plays in determining the consumer price level. According to the fiscal approach to price determination, prices adjust so that the discounted value of future real government primary surpluses equals the current real...

In this paper, three possible reasons are examined for a sluggish inflation response to a hard-currency peg. Models of overlapping wage contracts are analyzed and shown to generate little inertia. These findings are contrasted with the effects of government credibility and the speed of private...

Exchange rate behavior is analyzed in the context of a stochastic rational expectations model in which there are random shocks to the price-setting mechanism and in which the authorities choose to impose either nominal or real exchange rate bands. The effects of rules for realignment of the band...