The paper addresses two problems in the analysis of regional convergence in the European. First, typical convergence studies use data that is only available for some of the regions in the EU. This introduces a selection bias, as the lack of data is likely to be systematically linked to the...

The issue of the backward-looking versus the forward-looking Phillips curve is still an open question in the macroeconomics profession. We identify a crucial difference between the two hypotheses concerning the real output effects of monetary policy shocks. The backward-looking Phillips curve...

The paper analyses regional growth and convergence in a sample of 31 Central and Eastern European regions over the period 1990-2002. We find that the regional disparity has decreased in the first half of the 1990s. Thereafter it has remained stable. Almost all of the reduced disparity seems to...

This paper investigates the relationship between the exchange rate regime and the degree of structural reforms using panel data techniques. We look at a broad sample of countries (the quot;world samplequot;) and also an OECD sample. Our main findings suggest that adopting a fixed exchange rate...

The paper discusses the stabilizing potential of fiscal policy in a dynamic general-equilibrium model of monetary union. We consider a small open economy inside the currency area. We analyze the demand and supply effects of direct taxation, indirect taxation and government spending and derive...

The EMS was founded with the aim of promoting economic integration by stabilizing exchange rates. This study shows that the main effect of the EMS was lowering of the short-term volatility of nominal and realbilateral exchange rates. Theoretical considerations as well as empirical findings do...

Stabilizing the exchange rate is a major monetary policy goal in a number of CIS countries. Based on a microstructure model of the foreign exchange market with heterogenuous and technical traders we classify the de facto exchange rate management and derive a market based measure of the...

This paper examines the contemporaneous relationship between the exchange rate regime and structural economic reforms over a period of 30 years. Using panel data techniques, we look at both a broad (world sample) and an OECD country sample. We investigate empirically whether structural reforms...

The issue of the backward-looking versus the forward-looking Phillips curve is still an open question in the macroeconomics profession. We identify the real output effects of monetary policy shocks as a crucial implication of the traditional Phillips curve. The backward-looking Phillips curve...

While the well-known twin currency and banking crises has drawn a lot of interest a second type of twin crises, the simultaneous occurrence of currency and debt crises, has so far been neglected in the literature. The decision of a government to devalue and/or to default is closely interlinked...