The paper applies fuzzy clustering techniques to the member countries of the European Union in order to arrive at an identification of preferred monetary union groupings. The statistical criteria employed are those suggested, alternatively, by the traditional Optimal Currency Area theory or the...

The objective of this paper is first to review the use that has been made of Optimal Currency Area (OCA) theory in the European Monetary Union (EMU) context. Second, to look at some of its predictions in that respect. And third, to appraise some of the new theories - or speculations - that have...

In this paper we examine some of the issues which will arise if the European Central Bank adopts "direct inflation" targeting after the adoption of the single currency in Europe. One issue is how big the deviations in national inflation rates form the European average might be. Another is the...