This paper focuses on roots of strain in the European Monetary Union (EMU). It argues that there is need for a thorough reform of the governance structure of the Union in conjunction with radical changes in the regulation and supervision of financial markets. Financial intermediation has gone...

This paper focuses on roots of strain in the European Monetary Union (EMU). It argues that there is need for a thorough reform of the governance structure of the Union in conjunction with radical changes in the regulation and supervision of financial markets. Financial intermediation has gone...

In 1995 Mexico experienced its largest contraction of GDP since the early 20th century. I propose a simple mechanism to partially account for the collapse of economic activity: distortions on consumption and leisure caused by fiscal policy. The contraction of GDP was preceded by a financial...