The aim of this chapter is to address the key transmission channels and possible mechanisms for minimizing or even neutralizing the effects of the global economic crisis in the Western Balkan countries. In that respect, the macroeconomic indicators will be analysed for the period starting just...

In this chapter we analyse the level of inequality in Western Balkan countries, particularly in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia, during the past ten years. Inequality is one of the main challenges both for the economic theory and economies of the world...

One of the primary responsibilities of economics is to build a good indicator of the magnitude of short term disequilibrium. Knowledge of the magnitude of the excess demand in the economy is essential for conducting fiscal and monetary policy. In a period of contraction when monetary policy is...

This chapter is based on the work of Dominique Guellec and Bruno van Pottelsberghe (2000), in which they had estimated the aggregate net effect of public research, government funding of business-performed R&D, and fiscal policy on business R&D in 17 OECD Member countries over the last two...

Serbia had, when started its process of European integration in 2000, relatively high level of external debt amounting to 132% of GDP. All liabilities were practically inherited Government external debt since private sector during the period before 2000 even did not have the opportunity to take...

The aim of this chapter is to initiate a reflection about the potential connection between Credit Rating Agencies (CRA) performance and long-run macroeconomic performance based on the idea that inaccurate and volatile rating decisions can hinder the development of the financial system and...

The purpose of this chapter is the investigation of financial sector progress in Serbia toward European integration. The domestic financial sector developed very fast in the last decade after establishing a contemporary institutional framework and opening to foreign investors. Banking was the...

This chapter focuses on the analysis of employment policies in the Western Balkan countries and examines levels of harmonization of national employment policies throughout these countries with the European Union employment policy framework. The observed Western Balkan countries achieved...

The adequate monetary and fiscal policies are of great importance for the effects mitigation of the global financial crisis. The reduction of interest rates and fiscal stimulus should prevent further deteriorations in the money and capital markets as well as in the economy. Decreases in key...