In this paper we investigate whether differences we observe in European labour market transmission mechanisms matter for monetary policy design. We are particularly concerned with the robustness of the choice of rule by the European Central Bank (ECB) but we also comment on the choice of rules...

Given the increase in world economic integration we wish to examine whether there is a case for coordinating monetary policy across some of the major economies. In late 1998 and early 1999, US monetary policy responded to global economic conditions and interest rates were cut in response to the...

Asymmetric economic structures across Europe may result in common shocks having asymmetric effects. In this paper we investigate whether the differences in the structure and dynamics that we observe in the European economies matter for policy design. In particular it is widely believed that...

The policy regime in Europe has put the economy on 'auto-pilot'. We investigate different designs for the required feedback mechanisms. The uncertainty facing an economy depends on the pattern of shocks it faces, the response of the private sector to those shocks and also the policy reactions of...

This paper studies how the real exchange rate might respond to product innovation (improvements in the quality of goods) as opposed to process innovation (increased efficiency in the production of goods). We develop a two-country dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model, where quality...