Competitiveness is a notoriously slippery concept. This volume, featuring a galaxy of economic stars, lends some much-needed precision to the term and the debate over its determinants. Barry Eichengreen, University of California, Berkeley, US This book combines currency matters with competitiveness considerations, with a view to raising the understanding of exchange rate dynamics and to analysing the role of exchange rates in reinforcing economic competitiveness. The overall focus is on highlighting the link between currency developments and the real side of the economy. From a regional perspective, the contributions centre on developments in Central, Eastern and South-eastern Europe and thus put a special emphasis on aspects of transition and convergence. More specifically, the book addresses key issues of financial globalization and global imbalances; the role of macroeconomic fundamentals in exchange rate economics; the role, objectives and challenges of regional monetary unions; exchange rate dynamics in transition economies and the competitiveness of catching-up countries. It also addresses the structural aspects of competitiveness and the significance of qualitative and quantitative aspects of competitiveness. Offering the views of eminent academics and professionals, this book will be of great interest to economists and central bankers as well as to international organizations, universities and research institutes.

This volume contributes to the European debate on the best way of achieving Economic and Monetary Union, as agreed by the Treaty of Maastricht. Contributions are provided from a large group of experts, both academics and market participants from all EC countries.

This report--prepared For The ECU Institute by a group of eight economists from universities, private financial institutions, central banks and international institutions, all participating in a strictly private capacity--is an effort to Understand The factors that determine the international use of currencies, The present use of the world's major currencies, And The probable implications For The International Monetary System of the setting up in Europe of an Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) having a single currency (the ECU). The book shows that the EMU will greatly modify the design of the International Monetary System. By encouraging the development of a second key international currency that may challenge the dollar, it may transform the current system to a bipolar regime. By introducing a new, big player into the system, it may also increase the interest of the main participants in international coordination.

This is the first book to look at the European Union and single currency from the perspective of member-states. It offers a systematic critique of the project from the viewpoint of labor and employment.

Politics in Europe, Seventh Edition introduces students to the power of the European Union as well as seven political systems—the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Russia, Poland—within a common analytical framework that enables students to conduct both single-case and cross-national analysis. Each case addresses the most relevant questions of comparative political analysis: who governs, on behalf of what values, with the collaboration of what groups, in the face of what kind of opposition, and with what socioeconomic and political consequences? Packed with captivating photos and robust country descriptions from regional specialists, the Seventh Edition enables students to think critically about these questions and make meaningful cross-national comparisons.

Paul J. J. Welfens European monetary union has been discussed for more than three decades and is likely to be realized in 1999. One may anticipate generous interpretations of the fiscal convergence criteria. Such generosity consistent with the Maastricht Treaty might impair the credibility of the ECB and the stability of the Euro, respectively, despite the fact that inflation is a monetary phenomenon and has little to do with government deficits, unless they were financed via the printing press, which is excluded in the Maastricht Treaty. The European Commission's forecast of spring 1997 suggests that Italy will have problems in joining the EMU starter group as the is expected to be 3. 2% in 1997 and even 3. 9% in 1998. A Italian deficitlGDP ratio fully developed EMU group (with all 15 cowltries included) would represent 38% of the OECD GDP, slightly higher than the U. S. with 33% (Japan 21%). The exports/GDP ratio of EU countries is 30%, the ratio with respect to exports outside the EU would be 10% (Japan, U. S. 8%). The share of the U. S. dollar in international currency reserves fell from 67% to 40% in 1995, while the share of European currencies increased from 13% to 37%. Prior to the EMU, market participants have to anticipate whether a transition to 1999 will bring windfall losses or gains in various bond markets.

Leading international experts examine the implications of integration for the monetary structure of the European community.

Based on the practical insights and experience gained in his professional work on foreign direct investment (FDI) in developing countries at the World Bank, and using the EU's competition framework as an example, Stephan J. Dreyhaupt analyses whether or not a multilateral system of investment rules can be economically and politically effective.