In this paper, we address the question of the macroeconomic assignment problem of wage and demand policy that is implicit in the “two-handed approach”. As a novelty relative to the existing literature, we thereby distinguish the two levels of policy instruments and policy makers....

On the eve of the financial and economic crisis of 2008/09, the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) could look back to a decade of remarkable macroeconomic stability. Somewhat surprisingly, though, inflation differentials across member states have been substantial and persistent, causing...