It is widely assumed that a common currency makes it desirable to have also a common fiscal policy. However, if fiscal policy is a source of shocks, independent national fiscal policies are generally preferable because they allow for risk diversification. -- Currency union ; fiscal policy...

This paper studies monetary and fiscal policies in the euro area. It discusses the process of policy competition and the structure of policy cooperation. As to policy competition, the focus is on competition between the European central bank, the German government, and the French government. As...

This paper studies the international coordination of monetary 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 competition between Europe and America. Similarly, as...

The paper demonstrates that policy makers may have a precautionary motive to undertake more labor-market reform--and hence attain lower equilibrium unemployment--inside a monetary union than outside. The reason is a desire to reduce the utility cost of variations in employment when asymmetric...

The paper analyzes various mechanisms through which monetary union in Europe may affect unemployment. The focus is on the political incentives for labor-market reform. There will be more reform outside than inside the EMU to the extent that a national inflation bias can be reduced. But if there...