Dabla-Norris, Era, Kochhar, Kalpana, Suphaphiphat, Nujin, Ricka, Frantisek, Tsounta, Evridiki, (2015), “Causes and Consequences of Income Inequality : A Global Perspective”, IMF Publications, 15 June This paper analyzes the extent of income inequality from a global perspective, its drivers, and what to do about it. The drivers of inequality vary widely amongst countries, with some common drivers being the skill premium associated with technical change and globalization, weakening protection for labor, and lack of financial inclusion in developing countries. …Read More
Don’t Blame the Euro: Historical Reflections on the Roots of the Eurozone Crisis
Mourlon-Druol, E., (2014), “Don’t Blame the Euro: Historical Reflections on the Roots of the Eurozone Crisis”, West European Politics, Vol. 37, Issue 6, pp. 1282-1296. The article argues that many of the issues that are causing trouble in the eurozone today had long been debated, but not solved, prior to the beginning of the so-called euro crisis. Three thematic examples are used to show this: the decade-long discussion surrounding economic …Read More
The Economy Strikes Back: Support for the Eu during the Great Recession
Gomez, R., (2015), “The Economy Strikes Back: Support for the Eu during the Great Recession”, Journal of Common Market Studies, Vol.53, Issue 3, pp. 577-592. This article looks at the role of economic conditions in shaping people’s attitudes to the EU during the Great Recession. In contrast with previous research, findings suggest that in this particular instance support for the EU across Member States was affected by economic factors. In …Read More
The Euro Crisis’ Theory Effect: Northern Saints, Southern Sinners, and the Demise of the Eurobond
Matthijs, M. & McNamara K., (2015), “The Euro Crisis’ Theory Effect: Northern Saints, Southern Sinners, and the Demise of the Eurobond”, Journal of European Integration, Vol. 37, Issue 2, pp. 229-245. Of the multiple narratives EU policymakers could have chosen at the onset of the euro crisis, why did austerity and structural reform win out over other plausible cures for member states’ problems? Arguably, sovereign debt pooling or more federalized …Read More
Germany and the Eurozone Crisis: Between Hegemony and Domestic Politics
Βulmer, S., (2014), “Germany and the Eurozone Crisis: Between Hegemony and Domestic Politics”, West European Politics, Vol. 37, Issue 6, pp. 1244-1263. This paper explores Germany’s centrality to the outcome of the eurozone crisis. It argues that the eurozone crisis has led Germany’s ordo-liberal principles to trump its other longstanding commitment – i.e. to European integration. These two principles are explored in order then to shed light on how they …Read More
Library » EU » Economy » Scientific Articles
The QE Placebo
Gros, D., (2015), “The QE Placebo”, Project Syndicate, 9 June. It has now been nearly half a year since the European Central Bank declared its intention to buy some €1.1 trillion ($1.3 trillion) worth of eurozone bonds. When it first announced the so-called “extended asset-purchase program” in January, the ECB emphasized that it was only expanding an existing program, under which it had been buying modest quantities of private-sector bonds, …Read More
Library » EU » Economy » Opinion Articles
Varieties of Capitalism and the Euro Crisis
Hall, P. (2014), “Varieties of Capitalism and the Euro Crisis”, West European Politics, Vol. 37, Issue 6, pp. 1223-1243. This article examines the role played by varieties of capitalism in the euro crisis, considering the origins of the crisis, its progression, and the response to it. Deficiencies in the institutional arrangements governing the single currency are linked to economic doctrines of the 1990s. The roots of the crisis are linked …Read More
Library » EU » Economy » Politics » Scientific Articles
Europe’s Pointless Deficit Targets?
Marzinotto, B., (2015), “Europe’s Pointless Deficit Targets?”, Project Syndicate, 3 June. The fiscal rules of the European Union have undergone some much-needed improvements in recent years, but much more needs to be done. In addition to suffering from a lack of clarity on key issues, EU fiscal policy remains overly focused on short-term goals, reflected in its needless emphasis on nominal deficit targets within annual budget cycles. Relevant Posts: Daniele, …Read More
Library » EU » Economy » Opinion Articles
From ‘Tiger’ to ‘PIIGS’: Ireland and the use of heuristics in comparative political economy
Brazys, S. & Hardiman, N., (2015), “From ‘Tiger’ to ‘PIIGS’: Ireland and the use of heuristics in comparative political economy”, European Journal of Political Research, Vol.54, Issue 1, pp. 23-42. This article analyses the consequences of the narrative construction of the group of countries that has been grouped as ‘PIIGS’ (Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain) for their sovereign debt risk rating. Acronyms for groups of countries can provide a …Read More
Library » EU » Economy » Scientific Articles
Europe’s ordoliberal iron cage: critical political economy, the euro area crisis and its management
Ryner, M., (2015), “Europe’s ordoliberal iron cage: critical political economy, the euro area crisis and its management”, Journal of European Public Policy, Vol. 22, Issue 2, pp.275-294. Orthodox integration scholarship failed to identify the factors leading to the euro area (EA) economic and financial crisis because of weaknesses that Horkheimer identified in ‘traditional’ theory: disciplinary splits and a tendency to idealize from particular instrumental perspectives. By contrast, critical political economy …Read More