This paper considers two kinds of issues facing EMU. One concerns qualifications and membership: how qualifications are evaluated and which member states are likely to meet the criteria set for membership in the third stage of EMU in 1999. The other concerns the capacity of member states,...

[From the Introduction]. The main purpose of this paper is to consider whether fiscal policy according to EMU’s constraints is sustainable particularly in the context of high unemployment and low growth. In this respect, this paper is mainly based on previous studies which developed possible...

The countdown for establishing economic and monetary union (EMU) in Europe has started and the countries of the European Union are practically on automatic pilot. Nevertheless, some nagging questions still have to be addressed concerning the design of the project and the possibility that, if not...

[From the Introduction]. The main purpose of this paper is to consider whether fiscal policy according to EMU’s constraints is sustainable particularly in the context of high unemployment and low growth. In this respect, this paper is mainly based on previous studies which developed possible...

The countdown for establishing economic and monetary union (EMU) in Europe has started and the countries of the European Union are practically on automatic pilot. Nevertheless, some nagging questions still have to be addressed concerning the design of the project and the possibility that, if not...

The EU has ambitious goals for economic performance. The goals are to be reached in combination with social cohesion and environmentally sustainable development. The main economic policy instruments to be used by the EU member states are taxes and benefits. The economic and political framework...

The new European economy, complete with monetary union, gave rise to the emergence of a New European Economic Policy (NEEP). This paper takes as its task the analysis of: i) forms of the European Union elaborating on some of the specifics of the NEEP; ii) the problems the new European economy...

The EU has ambitious goals for economic performance. The goals are to be reached in combination with social cohesion and environmentally sustainable development. The main economic policy instruments to be used by the EU member states are taxes and benefits. The economic and political framework...

The new European economy, complete with monetary union, gave rise to the emergence of a New European Economic Policy (NEEP). This paper takes as its task the analysis of: i) forms of the European Union elaborating on some of the specifics of the NEEP; ii) the problems the new European economy...

Economic and monetary union (EMU) is, undoubtedly, a unique and bold experiment. Although the introduction of the euro went well, the economic management of the EU as a whole, and the euro area in particular, has been subject to growing criticism (see, for example, Pisani-Ferry, 2002). Today,...