The delegation of monetary policy to a supranational central bank creates a conflict of interest between residents of different countries. For example, the country in recession may favor more inflation to boost output, while the country in boom prefers exactly the opposite. This conflict gives...

As European countries strive to meet the Maastricht criteria before the end of 1997, doubts and concerns about the new institutional framework are rapidly growing . On one hand, the worsening unemployment rate raises the spectre of further tightening of fiscal and monetary policy (Bankers'...

In this paper we analyze how the creation of a single currency regime changes the strategic relationship between policy makers, both within and across countries. in particular we look at the role of cross-country externalities and lack of commitment. When labor taxation is excessive, due to...

The importance of investment in early childhood education (ECE) has been widely documented in the literature. Among the benefits, particularly for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, is its potential to mitigate educational inequality. However, some evidence also suggests that the positive...

In this paper we perform a comparative analysis of financial hardship in five countries – France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK – through the self-reported perception of the housing cost burden. We use EU-SILC data for 2005 to 2010. Wide differences emerge between Germany, France and the...