This paper analyses the possibility of increased tensions in the European Monetary System (EMS) as a result of the recent dollar depreciation. The analysis employs a static, fairly stylized macroeconomic model in which the EMS is characterized as a means of achieving a cooperative outcome even...

Do plans for a monetary union in Europe call for limits on the freedom of the country members of the union to use fiscal policy? In order to provide a tentative answer, we simulate the IMF model MULTIMOD, given various shocks, in the case of a European Monetary Union consisting only of France...

In this paper we test the well-known hypothesis of Obstfeld and Rogoff (2000) that tradecosts are the key to explaining the so-called Feldstein-Horioka puzzle. Using a gravityframework in an intertemporal context, we provide strong support for the hypothesis and wereconcile our results with the...

Official adjustments of the budget balance to the cycle merely assume that the only category of governmentspending that responds automatically to the cycle is unemployment compensation. But estimatesshow otherwise. Payments for pensions, health, subsistence, invalidity, childcare and subsidiesof...

In this paper we test the well-known hypothesis of Obstfeld and Rogoff (2000) that trade costs are the key to explaining the so-called Feldstein-Horioka puzzle. Using a gravity framework in an intertemporal context, we provide strong support for the hypothesis and we reconcile our results with...