The convergence criteria specified in the Maastricht Treaty on government deficit and debt, inflation, the exchange rate and the long-term interest rate will play an important, if not decisive, role in determining which countries move on to the third stage of the Economic and Monetary Union...

Unlike the crisis years of 2007-2009 (when the insolvency of large banks was a major problem), the current round of the global financial crisis has fiscal origins. Almost all developed countries suffer from an excessive public debt burden that has been built up over the last two decades or more....

Unlike the crisis years of 2007-2009 (when the insolvency of large banks was a major problem), the current round of the global financial crisis has fiscal origins. Almost all developed countries suffer from an excessive public debt burden that has been built up over the last two decades or more....

The third stage of the Economic and Monetary Union will start on January 1st, 1999, at which point the currencies of the participating countries will be irrevocably fixed as the prelude to the introduction of the euro by 2002. Although the European System of Central Banks’ objective is...

The third stage of the Economic and Monetary Union will start on January 1st, 1999, at which point the currencies of the participating countries will be irrevocably fixed as the prelude to the introduction of the euro by 2002. Although the European System of Central Banks’ objective is...

Abstract This is the 2008 Edition of one of only two book in print in the world about the Single Global Currency, and is the only book in the world priced in 141 currencies (down from 147 in the 2006 edition.).This number is significant, as it's the number of currencies required among the 192...

The Maastricht Treaty and the Madrid Council decision severely restrict the choice of the euro conversion rates. In practical terms the authorities can only select the Ecu rates prevailing in the market the day before conversion. The market will lack a fixed point, however, so that infinite...

This is the 2007 Edition of the only book in print in the world about the Single Global Currency, and is the only book in the world priced in 143 currencies (down from 147 in the 2006 edition.).This number is significant, as it's the number of currencies required among the 192 U.N. members to...

In this paper we analyse the prospects of a mini currency union in Europe. We argue that the Maastricht strategy will create a situation in which the countries excluded from the EMU will use their negative voting power to bar the entry of a number of core countries into the union. The countries...

This paper analyses several issues. First, it describes the main features of ERM II and compares them with those of ERM I as it evolved during the 1980s and 1990s. Second, it analyses whether, and under what conditions, ERM II will be more successful than its predecessor in avoiding disruptive...