The initial introduction of the euro has, against many expectations, been accompanied by a decline in the value of the euro (notably vis-à-vis the dollar and sterling). It has also been introduced at a time of high levels of unemployment within most of the European Union (EU). This paper...

In this paper we seek first to set out the economic analysis that underpins the ideas of what has been termed the third way. The explicit mention of the third way is much diminished since the early days of the Blair government in the UK and the Schroeder government in Germany. We argue that the...

Within the framework of macroeconomic policy and theory over the past twenty years or so, a major shift has occurred regarding the relative importance given of monetary policy versus fiscal policy. The former has gained considerably in stature, while the latter is rarely mentioned. Further,...

In the United Kingdom the emergence of a New Labour has been closely associated with the development of the notion of the third way. Tony Blair, for example, stated that New Labour is neither old left nor new right. . . . Instead we offer a new way ahead, that leads from the centre but is...

This paper explores the probable consequences for public expenditure in the UK if Britain were to join the euro. It focuses on the effects of sterling joining the euro (and the associated implications, such as monetary policy being governed by the European Central Bank). It does not consider any...

Current monetary policy involves the manipulation of the Central Bank interest rate (the repo rate), with the specific objective of achieving the goal(s) of monetary policy. The latter is normally the inflation rate, although in a number of instances this may include the level of economic...