A collection of essays in honour of Robert Triffin, the principal architect of the European Payments Union in the 1940s. These works cover topics such as obstacles to international policy co-ordination, the reform of the international monetary system and European monetary integration. The "Open Market" and its ramifications are discussed and the future of the European Monetary System is examined. The text does not concentrate solely on Europe, however, and also examines such subjects as monetary management in Latin America and proposals for co-operative relief of debt in Africa. An overview of the International Monetary System is provided and the future of macroeconomic policy coordination is examined.

The papers in this book cover the wide range of Robert Triffin's expertise. For example, Jacques Larosire interprets the evolution of the international monetary system. Michel Aglietta critically appraises the international monetary system and suggests the present system is one that does not constrain domestic policy choices. The desirability, scope and means of policy co-ordination are analyzed in the contributions by James Tobin, Robert Solomon, John Williamson, Alexandre Lamfalussy and Wolfgang Rieke. Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa discusses the possible paths to European Monetary Union whilst Alfred Steinherr and Jacques Girard evaluate the past and future evolution of the ECU. Paul De Grauwe provides empirical answers to the highly debated question whether the EMS is a DM-zone.

By introducing a new national currency in November 1993, the Republic of Kazakstan took a decisive step towards establishing its political and economic independence. In the following years, Kazakstan made great efforts to lay the institutional foundation for econonmic policy in line with a free market system. The cooperation between Kazak experts and independent international advisors such as the group of German econonmists under the leadership of Lutz Hoffmann played an important role for the Kazak government in choosing the most effective concepts and instruments for economic policy. Thus, the main topic of this book is the discussion of the macroeconomic problems during the first years of transition and the role of international financial institutions, in particular the International Monetary Fund.
The topics are dealt with in a new form of presentation, collecting the papers of the advisory group in chronological order.

Analyzing the key problems facing the transition countries in Central and Eastern Europe, this book describes the legacy of the central planners and the need for radical reforms. It documents the outstanding successes and failures, and demonstrates how some countries have graduated from "transition" to "integration" through membership in the European Union. The study concludes by indicating how the EU could help the poor performers through inclusion in a continent-wide integrated economic area. The book appeals to students in economics, comparative politics and area studies.

Analyzing the key problems facing the transition countries in Central and Eastern Europe, this book describes the legacy of the central planners and the need for radical reforms. It documents the outstanding successes and failures, and demonstrates how some countries have graduated from "transition" to "integration" through membership in the European Union. The study concludes by indicating how the EU could help the poor performers through inclusion in a continent-wide integrated economic area. The book appeals to students in economics, comparative politics and area studies.