This paper analyzes the effectiveness of the tax and transfer systems in the European Union and the US to act as an automatic stabilizer in the current economic crisis. We find that automatic stabilizers absorb 38 per cent of a proportional income shock in the EU, compared to 32 per cent in the...

The European crisis came to an end when first political leaders and then the European Central Bank promised to do whatever it takes to safeguard the euro. Specifically they committed to create a European banking union and to buy unlimited amounts of sovereign debt in distressed markets for...

"On the 25th January 2015, the Greek people voted in an election of historic importance--not just for Greece but potentially all of Europe. The radical party Syriza was elected and austerity and the neoliberal agenda challenged. Suddenly it seems as if there is an alternative. But what? The...