This paper provides a closer view on the interaction of exchange rate volatility and interest rate volatility in the Mercosur countries. We discuss several models that explain systematic correlations between the movements of both variables and their secon

This paper empirically investigates the differences in the motives for raising privatization proceeds for a panel of 22 OECD countries from 1990 to 2001. We test whether privatizations can be mainly interpreted (a) as a means to foster growth, increase tax income, and relax the fiscal stance,...

Evaluating the costs and benefits of exchange rate stability, requires a different approach to Mercosur than to the European Union (EU). Trade integration within Mercosur is much more limited; currencies are driven by other factors such as confidence in the ability to serve external debt and the...

Evaluating the costs and benefits of exchange rate stability requires a somewhat different approach for Mercosur than for the EU. EU member countries are highly integrated in terms of trade in goods and services. By contrast, trade integration within Mercosur is much more limited, intra-area...

It is widely assumed that a common currency makes it desirable to have also a common fiscal policy. However, if fiscal policy is a source of shocks, independent national fiscal policies are generally preferable because they allow risk diversification.

Two of the four macroeconomic adjustment programmes, Portugal and Ireland's, can be considered a success in the sense that the initial expectations in terms of adjustment, both fiscal and external, were broadly fulfilled. A rebound based on exports has taken hold in these two countries, but a...

Die Diskussion über die Wahrscheinlichkeit asymmetrischer Schocks in Europa hat trotz Gründung der Europäischen Wirtschafts- und Währungsunion an Aktualität nicht verloren. In diesem Beitrag wird daher die Frage gestellt, welche fiskalischen Anpassungsmechanismen geeignet sind, solche...

Two of the four macroeconomic adjustment programmes, Portugal and Ireland s, can be considered a success in the sense that the initial expectations in terms of adjustment, both fiscal and external, were broadly fulfilled. A rebound based on exports has taken hold in these two countries, but a...