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In this paper we carry over a static version of a New Keynesian Macro Model to a monetary union. For a similar approach see Uhlig (2002). We will show in particular that a harmonious functioning of a monetary union critically depends on the correlation structure of shocks that hit the currency area. Additionally a high degree of integration in product markets is advantageous for the ECB as it prevents that national real interest rates can drive a wedge between macroeconomic outcomes across member states. In particular small countries are in a vulnerable and therefore in need for fiscal policy as an independent stabilization agent with room to breath.

This article examines the problems of the single currency in light of the organization of labour relations in the Member States and their interaction with monetary policies. Continental (western) Europe consists of two very different systems of employment and labour relations, roughly coinciding with 'coordinated market economies' in the north-west of the continent, and 'Mixed Market Economies' in the south. These differences in employment relations and wage-setting systems implied that, against the background of a relatively restrictive one-size-fits-all monetary policy in place since 1999, the north-west of the continent systematically improved its competitiveness, while the south lost competitiveness in parallel. Small differences between the two groups of countries at the start of EMU thus were accentuated and, against the background of low growth and an almost closed E(M)U economy, the northern coordinated market economies accumulated current account surpluses while the GIIPS (Greece, Italy, Ireland, Portugal and Spain) ran into severe balance of payments problems in 2010 and 2011.

Twenty years after the introduction of the euro, this Weekly Report uses an empirical analysis to assess the performance of monetary policy in the EMU founding states. It is often claimed that the monetary policy of the European Central Bank (ECB) cannot outperform its national predecessors, as the euro area countries experience different business cycles yet share a common interest rate. However, the present analysis shows that the ECB's common monetary policy has been more adept at stabilizing the economy than most of its national predecessors from the perspective of the member states. With a common currency, European monetary policy has also become largely independent of exchange rates. However, the central bank is unable to counter long-term macroeconomic imbalances. To protect euro area countries from crises more effectively, priority should be given to reforming the monetary union and fiscal policy as well as to completing the Banking Union and the Capital Markets Union. Mistakes in crisis management must be openly discussed in order to address the temptation some have to renationalize economic and monetary policy; the ECB's monetary policy should not be a scapegoat.

Discusses the European Union's establishment of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and adoption of a single currency and monetary policy on Jan. 1, 1999; views of the European Central Bank's president.

How did the European Central Bank (ECB) extended its influence and its competences within the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) during the eurozone crisis? The answer of this question lies in the analysis of the ECB's political strategy based on a paradoxical two-fold movement aiming at protecting its original reputation while extending its competences. Indeed, the financial crisis is both an opportunity and a risk for the ECB since its ressources ( its monopoly on liquidity, the acknowledgment of its expertise on financial markets and its moral authority ) have more impact than usual, but, at the same time, the Bank is forced to implement monetary policies deviating from both ordo-liberal ideas and the Bundesbank's model on which its reputation was built. The study of the mechanisms of the delegation process involving the ECB and the eurozone member states allows then to prove the success of this two-fold movement and to explore the redefinition of the ECB role within the UEM during the financial crisis. These elements are analyzed through three case studies including the implementation of monetary policies instruments, the EMU crisis-solving processes and the creation of the European Systemic Risk Board. The methodological approach focuses on the study of relations between the ECB and the other EMU actors, thanks to thirty semi-directed high officials' interviews and a analysis of primary and secondary sources. ; Comment la Banque Centrale Européenne (BCE) a-t-elle étendu son influence et ses compétences dans l'Union Economique et Monétaire (UEM) pendant la crise de la zone euro? Pour répondre à cette question, nous analysons le jeu politique de la BCE, basé sur un double mouvement paradoxal de défense de sa réputation originelle et d'extension de ses compétences au-delà de la sphère monétaire. Cette stratégie lui a permis de gérer les tensions et les opportunités liées à la crise de la zone euro : ses canaux d'influence (son monopole sur la liquidité, la reconnaissance de son expertise sur les marchés ...

How did the European Central Bank (ECB) extended its influence and its competences within the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) during the eurozone crisis? The answer of this question lies in the analysis of the ECB's political strategy based on a paradoxical two-fold movement aiming at protecting its original reputation while extending its competences. Indeed, the financial crisis is both an opportunity and a risk for the ECB since its ressources ( its monopoly on liquidity, the acknowledgment of its expertise on financial markets and its moral authority ) have more impact than usual, but, at the same time, the Bank is forced to implement monetary policies deviating from both ordo-liberal ideas and the Bundesbank's model on which its reputation was built. The study of the mechanisms of the delegation process involving the ECB and the eurozone member states allows then to prove the success of this two-fold movement and to explore the redefinition of the ECB role within the UEM during the financial crisis. These elements are analyzed through three case studies including the implementation of monetary policies instruments, the EMU crisis-solving processes and the creation of the European Systemic Risk Board. The methodological approach focuses on the study of relations between the ECB and the other EMU actors, thanks to thirty semi-directed high officials' interviews and a analysis of primary and secondary sources. ; Comment la Banque Centrale Européenne (BCE) a-t-elle étendu son influence et ses compétences dans l'Union Economique et Monétaire (UEM) pendant la crise de la zone euro? Pour répondre à cette question, nous analysons le jeu politique de la BCE, basé sur un double mouvement paradoxal de défense de sa réputation originelle et d'extension de ses compétences au-delà de la sphère monétaire. Cette stratégie lui a permis de gérer les tensions et les opportunités liées à la crise de la zone euro : ses canaux d'influence (son monopole sur la liquidité, la reconnaissance de son expertise sur les marchés ...

How did the European Central Bank (ECB) extended its influence and its competences within the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) during the eurozone crisis? The answer of this question lies in the analysis of the ECB's political strategy based on a paradoxical two-fold movement aiming at protecting its original reputation while extending its competences. Indeed, the financial crisis is both an opportunity and a risk for the ECB since its ressources ( its monopoly on liquidity, the acknowledgment of its expertise on financial markets and its moral authority ) have more impact than usual, but, at the same time, the Bank is forced to implement monetary policies deviating from both ordo-liberal ideas and the Bundesbank's model on which its reputation was built. The study of the mechanisms of the delegation process involving the ECB and the eurozone member states allows then to prove the success of this two-fold movement and to explore the redefinition of the ECB role within the UEM during the financial crisis. These elements are analyzed through three case studies including the implementation of monetary policies instruments, the EMU crisis-solving processes and the creation of the European Systemic Risk Board. The methodological approach focuses on the study of relations between the ECB and the other EMU actors, thanks to thirty semi-directed high officials' interviews and a analysis of primary and secondary sources. ; Comment la Banque Centrale Européenne (BCE) a-t-elle étendu son influence et ses compétences dans l'Union Economique et Monétaire (UEM) pendant la crise de la zone euro? Pour répondre à cette question, nous analysons le jeu politique de la BCE, basé sur un double mouvement paradoxal de défense de sa réputation originelle et d'extension de ses compétences au-delà de la sphère monétaire. Cette stratégie lui a permis de gérer les tensions et les opportunités liées à la crise de la zone euro : ses canaux d'influence (son monopole sur la liquidité, la reconnaissance de son expertise sur les marchés ...

As the world continues to see various facets of financial integration, the topic has sparked a great deal of discussions among policymakers and economists. The article analyzes benefits and risks of financial integration in the context of the European Union, which has facilitated global financial integration immensely by creating common currency among European Monetary Union countries and harmonizing regulations across the region. Upon examining main pros and cons of financial integration in detail, I conclude that financial integration can be beneficial in the longrun if corrective and preventive measures are enforced to curtail risks and threats it poses.

Discusses the European Monetary Union (EMU) and the euro single currency, to be adopted by 11 EU countries on Jan. 1, 1999.

Although European Monetary Union led to the creation of one of the world's most independent central banks, politics has not been removed from monetary integration. The European Central Bank's primary claim to legitimacy rests with its ability to deliver low inflation and presumably higher growth. Its independence may be insufficient for this task, making its relationship with political institutions like the Euro-12 and European Parliament more important over time in order to augment its own credibility. This article argues that a model of collective responsibility is more appropriate than one of principle-agent theory to describe the development of European monetary relations between the various institutions as they will need to rely on one another if a coherent European monetary policy is to take shape.