Despite the growing literature, central bank independence (CBI) is still one of the most controversial and frequently discussed issues in macroeconomics. This paper re-examines the role of central bank independence in macroeconomic outcomes, seeking to add to the existing empirical literature in...

Using both standard regressions and Markov-Chain Monte-Carlo estimation methods from a Bayesian perspective and a sample of 39 countries for 1981-2006, we re-examine the role of central-bank independence (CBI) in macroeconomic outcomes. Control variables commonly used in the literature are...

This paper explores the relation between trade flows and cross-country symmetry of supply and demand shocks using data from the EU-27 countries. Increased bilateral trade intensity is found to have a positive impact on the correlation of both demand and supply shocks. Intra-industry trade is...

This paper presents further evidence on the importance of sectoral shifts by examining unemployment fluctuations in the United States over the period 1960 to 1991, extending previous research in three directions: first, by using a thirty-industry decomposition of quarterly nonagricultural...

The authors show that, in interdependent unionized economies, cooperation between wage-setters at home and abroad improves both their own positions and social welfare relative to universal Nash play. Moreover, a move from all-around Nash play to cooperation between home and foreign unions and...