Fiscal policy is one of the three pillars of what Dr. Ottmar Issing (2002) has called the Maastricht Assignment. For the Eurozone as a whole, the Central Bank is responsible for area-wide price stability. The twelve national fiscal authorities are responsible for fiscal policy - country by...

In this paper we discuss the emergence of the new European macroeconomic structure within EMU. We focus on three important elements: the wage-fixing authorities in each country, the fiscal authorities in each country, and the single European Central Bank (ECB). We identify serious problems which...

The UK's monetary policy strategy is one of floating exchange rates and inflation forecast targeting, with the targeted measure referring to consumer prices. We consider whether it is welfare-reducing to target inflation in the CPI rather than in a narrower index and the role of the exchange...

In this paper we discuss the emergence of the new European macroeconomic structure within EMU. We focus on three important elements: the wage-fixing authorities in each country, the fiscal authorities in each country, and the single European Central Bank (ECB). We identify serious problems which...

This article examines the new consensus that fiscal policy should have no macroeconomic role in 'flexible inflation targeting' regimes. There is little basis for this presumption. Fiscal policy remains important in setting the policy mix and in managing shocks and imbalances. The credibility of...

The major controversies over alternative strategies for the UK economy are surveyed and evaluated in a non-technical manner, concentrating on the positions of three groups prominent in economic forecasting and policy analysis-the National Institute, the London Business School Centre for Economic...

This article considers the role of fiscal policy within a European Monetary Union. There are two quite different issues. The first is the medium-term problem of deficits and debt. The Maastricht fiscal convergence criteria are usually seen as an imperfect response to the need to contain...