The focus of this paper is on the use of the yield curve in monetary policy making. Theoretical arguments and a multi-country empirical analysis with an explicit focus on the euro area suggest the need for caution in case the Eurosystem uses the yield curve as an information variable for...

The authors investigate the influence of case selection and (re)coding for two vintages of a key resource for research on economic sanctions: the Peterson Institute data base reported in Hufbauer et al. (Economic Sanctions Reconsidered, 2nd edition in 1990 and 3rd edition in 2007). The Peterson...

This paper measures and discusses recent developments of import volumes making appropriate comparisons against earlier historic episodes whenever relevant. The descriptive analysis covers the inter bellum, the major financial crises of the 1980s, the 1990s and early 2000, as well as the most...

This paper investigates the impact of economic and commercial diplomacy on the geography of international trade. We replicate a recent study by Rose (2007) extending the analysis to include the year 2006 and 63 importing and exporting countries. Using a gravity model we are able to demonstrate...

This chapter investigates how economic diplomacy can be used to generate and increase economic security. The first section sets out a definition for economic diplomacy, uncovers some of the historical roots and discusses empirical findings on the trade - conflict - cooperation relationships. The...

The extra-territorial effects of cartels, mergers and other non-competitive activities require consideration especially if they harm consumers and firms in developing countries. This chapter provides an overview of the available empirical literature regarding the impact of cartels, mergers and...

This paper considers an extensive cartel contamination of markets in the Dutch construction sector. Overwhelming legal evidence of bid rigging in this sector was obtained in 486 leniency applications in which complete secret accounts were submitted. I offer a case study and a broadly based post...

An empirical investigation of the term structure (the relation of the long interest rate to the short interest rate) showed structural change as the deadline for the euro became closer. Our empirical analysis of the term structures (yield curves) in 12 OECD countries uncovers that...