Monetary Policy, Fiscal Policies and Labour Markets. Macroeconomic Policymaking in the EMU

A few years after the birth of the European Monetary Union, economists are still divided in their assessment of the ability of itd key institutions to provide macroeconomic macroeconomic stability and foster the reforms necessary to stimulate economic growth. In this collection, experts focus on issues of fiscal policy, monetary policy and labour markets and ask: Can the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) provide an adequate framework for the conduct of national fiscal policies? Is the ECB provide markets with adequate information about its intentions? Moreover, is the ECB reacting with competence and flexibility to a rapidly changing macroeconomic environment? How will national labour markets react to the new macroeconomic institutions and what are the structural reforms needed in the labour markets? Blending empirical and theoretical data, this book offers one of the most comprehensive surveys of recent research in macroeconomic policymaking within the EMU today.