We analyze unconditional within-country convergence from 1991 to 2009 in 21 European countries. Unlike most previous studies we focus on the heterogeneity of convergence. We find that convergence processes in currency unions are extremely heterogenous, highly discontinuous and strongly...

We analyze unconditional within-country convergence from 1991 to 2009 in 21 European countries. Unlike most previous studies we focus on the heterogeneity of convergence. We find that convergence processes in currency unions are extremely heterogenous, highly discontinuous and strongly...

This paper analyzes the effects of time-varying fiscal policy behavior on output and consumption multipliers within a monetary union. The framework is that of a standard New Keynesian twocountry model with distortionary taxes and Calvo price rigidities. I first show that multipliers differ...

The experiences of 259 regions in 21 European countries with within country GDP per capita and labour productivity growth suggest that variables associated with proactive, growth oriented strategies are consistently more important predictors of successful regional development than variables...

The WAEMU and the Franc CFA-Zone: A new culture of co-operation in Francophone Africa? The CFA-zone is basically composed of two sub-zones, characterised by significant structural economic and political differences within and between its member countries: the West African Economic and Monetary...

The WAEMU and the Franc CFA-Zone: A new culture of co-operation in Francophone Africa? The CFA-zone is basically composed of two sub-zones, characterised by significant structural economic and political differences within and between its member countries: the West African Economic and Monetary...

The paper examines the proposed Economic and Monetary Union for ECOWAS sub-region and provide a comprehensive evidence based on European Union experience of what ECOWAS common currency stand to gain in terms of both Intra and Inter flow of FDI. Evidence from the reviewed literature revealed...

We place regional industry structures at centre stage in currency union analysis, decomposing differences between regional and aggregate cycles into industry structure and industry cycle effects. The industry structure effect indicates whether a region's industry structure causes its cycle to...

Two key assumptions are often used in assessing the feasibility of a common currency area (CCA). First, asymmetric shocks increase the costs of forming a CCA. Second, the US represents a useful benchmark for evaluating a potential CCA. Changes in the asymmetry of US regional cycles, however, are...

The East Asian monetary integration process is at the crossroads. Given very benign liquidity conditions in the US, the prevailing common US dollar peg has contributed to growing macroeconomic and financial instability in the region. This has sparked demands to embark on an independent monetary...