Summary for Economic Policy: The starting date of the European Monetary Union (EMU) is coming close. After several years of intense efforts, eleven European Union (EU) countries are prepared to go ahead. Belgium is one of those countries. This is a step of great importance. Gradually, the...

This paper discusses the effects of alternative waysof using external cost estimates to regulateinvestments and generation in the electricityproduction sector. Starting from the existing system,four alternatives are considered: emission taxes forthe utility and for independent producers,...

This paper defines the concept of De Grauwe policy cycle where an original idea on international competitiveness is first rejected or ignored, subsequently gradually accepted and finally becomes conventional wisdom. This policy cycle is first applied to De Grauwe’s well-known research on...

This paper assesses the impact of trade and technology on Belgian industrial employment. A framework is developed which incorporates employment effects of (i) export expansion (ii) impost competition and (iii) labour saving productivity improvements. In this context, evidence is found for the...

Multinational companies and national governments pay considerable attention to labor cost and labor productivity differentials across countries. This paper analyses total and unit labor differentials for a group of European and non-European countries in the 1960-1998 period. It deals with (i)...

This paper defines the concept of De Grauwe policy cycle where an original idea on international competitiveness is first rejected or ignored, subsequently gradually accepted and finally becomes conventional wisdom. This policy cycle is first applied to De Grauwe’s well-known research on...

This paper defines the concept of De Grauwe policy cycle where an original idea on international competitiveness is first rejected or ignored, subsequently gradually accepted and finally becomes conventional wisdom. This policy cycle is first applied to De Grauwe’s well-known research on...

This paper focuses on three major themes in the policy debate on European unemployment. A first issue concerns the causes of unemployment. We point to the diversity of the unemployment performance in Europe and plead for a policy approach which takes into account the interdependence between...