Wren-Lewis, S. (2014) “Getting The Germany Argument Right“, Social Europe Journal, 11 Νοεμβρίου. As the Eurozone experiences a prolonged demand-deficient recession, and given Germany’s pivotal role in making that happen, it is important to get the argument against current German policy right. It seems to me there are two wrong directions to take here. The first is to argue that Germany needs to undertake fiscal expansion because it has …Read More
Mr. Europe? The Ghosts of Juncker’s Past Come Back to Haunt Him
Blome, N., Pauly, C., Peter Schmitz, G. & Schult, C. (2014) “Mr. Europe? The Ghosts of Juncker’s Past Come Back to Haunt Him“, Der Spiegel Online, 10 Νοεμβρίου. He only recently took office as European Commission president, but now, Jean-Claude Juncker is under pressure due to potentially illegal tax deals forged in Luxembourg during his stint as the country’s prime minister. Some believe he may have to resign. Jean-Claude …Read More
What caused the great recession in the Eurozone? What could have avoided it?
Martin, P. & Philippon, T. (2014) “What caused the great recession in the Eurozone? What could have avoided it?“, VoxEU Organisation, 11 Νοεμβρίου. Economists disagree over the origin of the Eurozone Crisis. This column uses a quantitative framework to sort through the various channels and policy impacts. It argues that fiscal and macroprudential policies are complements, not substitutes. Prudent fiscal policy is helpful but cannot by itself undo private …Read More
Why the EU’s commitment to preventing human rights abuses abroad is more than just rhetoric
Kreutz, J. (2014) “Why the EU’s commitment to preventing human rights abuses abroad is more than just rhetoric“, LSE EUROPP, 10 Νοεμβρίου. Is EU foreign policy genuinely influenced by humanitarian concerns or are such claims merely used to add legitimacy to traditional power politics? Joakim Kreutz uses data on EU foreign policy actions between 1989 and 2008 to assess the extent to which human rights concerns have played a …Read More
Structural Reforms Will Not Mitigate The Risk Of Deflation In Europe
Theodoropoulou, S. (2014) “Structural Reforms Will Not Mitigate The Risk Of Deflation In Europe“, Social Europe Journal, 10 Νοεμβρίου. In a speech delivered at the Central Bank of Latvia on October 17th, Benoit Coeuré, member of the executive board of the ECB and apparently one of the currently few close confidants of Mario Draghi, argued that speeding up the pace of structural reforms in the Eurozone could be key …Read More
An Unemployment Insurance Scheme for the Euro Area? A Comparison of Different Alternatives using Micro Data
Dolls, M., Fuest, C., Neumann, D. & Peichl, A. (2014) “An Unemployment Insurance Scheme for the Euro Area? A Comparison of Different Alternatives using Micro Data“, Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW), Discussion Paper No. 14-095, 28 Οκτωβρίου. Abstract: We analyze different alternatives how a common unemployment insurance system for the euro area (EA) could be designed and assess their effectiveness to act as an insurance device in the …Read More
Η παρανόηση περί «ανάπτυξης» και «λιτότητας» – Ο πολιτικός λαϊκισμός και ο ρόλος του στην καταστροφή τής οικονομίας
Ιωάννου, Α. Δ. & Ιωάννου, Α. Χ. (2014) “Η παρανόηση περί «ανάπτυξης» και «λιτότητας» – Ο πολιτικός λαϊκισμός και ο ρόλος του στην καταστροφή τής οικονομίας“, Foreign Affairs Hellenic Edition, 07 Νοεμβρίου. Περίληψη: Η κυρίαρχη ερμηνεία τόσο για την τρέχουσα κρίση τής ευρωπαϊκής οικονομίας, όσο και για το φαινόμενο της οικονομικής κάμψης ή στασιμότητας γενικότερα, είναι εκείνη που στηρίζεται στο νοηματικό δίπολο «ανάπτυξη/λιτότητα», οι δύο πλευρές τού οποίου νοούνται …Read More
How to climb a mountain with both hands tied
Pisani-Ferry, J. (2014) “How to climb a mountain with both hands tied“, VoxEU Organisation, 07 Νοεμβρίου. A triple-dip recession in the Eurozone is now a distinct possibility. This column argues that additional monetary stimulus is unlikely to be effective, that the scope for further fiscal stimulus is limited, and that some structural reforms may actually hurt growth in the short run by adding to disinflationary pressures in a liquidity …Read More
Quantitative Easing for the People
Muellbauer, J. (2014) “Quantitative Easing for the People“, Project Syndicate, 05 Νοεμβρίου. It is now a near certainty that, by the end of this year, falling energy and commodity prices will push annual inflation in the Eurozone below zero – well under the European Central Bank’s target of near 2%. Rather than continue to allow misguided conventional thinking, centered on German economic ideology, to impede effective action, the ECB …Read More
What if Britain left the EU?
Michael White, Larry Elliott & Charlotte Higgins: “What if Britain left the EU?“, The Guardian, 04 Νοεμβρίου 2014. Budget rows, referendum pledges, Ukip on the rise … is Britain heading for an EU exit? It would certainly be a messy divorce after 44 years. But what would it mean for our politics, prosperity and cultural life? Politics: How would Europe regard Britain’s retreat? With disappointment and anger In a …Read More