The Great Depression had a devastating effect on much of the world's developed economies. (For example, at its nadir, around one-quarter of the US workforce was unemployed. And, in Britain, exports virtually halved by 1933 as international trade collapsed.) The political and cultural consequences of the Great Depression were equally far-reaching. The ongoing search fully to comprehend the worldwide economic collapse in the 1930s remains a dizzying intellectual challenge (the Holy Grail of macroeconomics' according to Ben Bernanke). Moreover, the current global economic and financial tumult has prompted many economists -- as well as scholars from related disciplines -- to explore the Great Depression anew in the hope of gaining knowledge on how best to survive the latest desperately serious and sustained global economic slump. As research in and around the Great Depression flourishes as never before this new addition to Routledge's Critical Concepts in Economics series meets the need for an authoritative reference work to make sense of the subject's vast literature and the continuing explosion in scholarly output. Edited by two leading scholars in the field, this new Routledge Major Work is a five-volume collection of classic and cutting-edge contributions. With a comprehensive introduction, newly written by the editors, which places the collected material in its historical and intellectual context, The Great Depression is an essential work of reference and is destined to be valued as a vital research tool.

The Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) in which some members of the European Union have joined, has prompted much discussion of monetary union. Most of this discussion has focused on the immediate issues, such as prospects for the Euro and the possibility of expanding the Euro-zone. This book stands back and considers the relevant theory or what lessons might be drawn from other unions that have been formed in the past as well as looking at EMU directly.

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In this book, a historical analysis of the precedents of the euro is examined within the context of the current issues affecting the Eurozone and the long-term effects of the institutional changes implemented since 2010. The book begins by placing the Eurozone challenges in the historical context of previous monetary unions, drawing on the experience of the gold standard. It then specifically focuses on the problems arising from the running of permanent trade imbalances within the Eurozone. The authors explore the advantages and disadvantages of being a member of the Eurozone and attempt to measure the optimality of a currency area by the calculation of an index on internal macroeconomic asymmetries. They address the proposals recently made in favour of a fiscal union in the Euro zone; including the economic and political feasibility of fiscal transfers in the Eurozone. The final two papers discuss whether the monetary union is in fact more than just that, and whether it will lead inevitably to some form of political union if it is to survive. With chapters by leading experts from both Europe and the UK, this book will appeal to students in Economics, Finance, Politics, EU integration and European studies; as well as academics and professional economists doing research in EU integration, the Euro zone, monetary history and monetary and banking unions in Europe, the UK and elsewhere.

In this book, a historical analysis of the precedents of the euro is examined within the context of the current issues affecting the Eurozone and the long-term effects of the institutional changes implemented since 2010. The book begins by placing the Eurozone challenges in the historical context of previous monetary unions, drawing on the experience of the gold standard. It then specifically focuses on the problems arising from the running of permanent trade imbalances within the Eurozone. The authors explore the advantages and disadvantages of being a member of the Eurozone and attempt to measure the optimality of a currency area by the calculation of an index on internal macroeconomic asymmetries. They address the proposals recently made in favour of a fiscal union in the Euro zone; including the economic and political feasibility of fiscal transfers in the Eurozone. The final two papers discuss whether the monetary union is in fact more than just that, and whether it will lead inevitably to some form of political union if it is to survive. With chapters by leading experts from both Europe and the UK, this book will appeal to students in Economics, Finance, Politics, EU integration and European studies; as well as academics and professional economists doing research in EU integration, the Euro zone, monetary history and monetary and banking unions in Europe, the UK and elsewhere.

The activities of central banks are relevant to everyone in society. This book starts by considering how and why in general central banks evolved and specifically the special aspects of the contribution of the Northern European Central Banking Tradition. With that foundation, the book will then turn to a series of contemporary themes. Firstly, this book looks at independence, how central banks can actually influence their respective economies, goals, responsibilities and governance. This collection of papers, formulated from the joint conference of the Bank of Finland and the Deutsche Bundesbank in November 2007, will help motivate continuing research into the institutional design of central banks and promote a better understanding of the many challenges central banks are facing today. This volume gives a detailed perspective on the benefits of price stability and central bank independence and, due to the advances in macroeconomic theory, has prompted a substantial rethink on central banks' institutional design. With contributions from such scholars as Anne Sibert and Forrest Capie and a foreword by Erkki Liikanen and Professor Axel A. Weber, this volume will be useful reading for monetary economists around the world as well as all those with an interest in central banks and banking more generally.

The activities of central banks are relevant to everyone in society. This book starts by considering how and why in general central banks evolved and specifically the special aspects of the contribution of the Northern European Central Banking Tradition. With that foundation, the book will then turn to a series of contemporary themes. Firstly, this book looks at independence, how central banks can actually influence their respective economies, goals, responsibilities and governance.

This collection of papers, formulated from the joint conference of the Bank of Finland and the Deutsche Bundesbank in November 2007, will help motivate continuing research into the institutional design of central banks and promote a better understanding of the many challenges central banks are facing today. This volume gives a detailed perspective on the benefits of price stability and central bank independence and, due to the advances in macroeconomic theory, has prompted a substantial rethink on central banks? institutional design.

With contributions from such scholars as Anne Sibert and Forrest Capie and a foreword by Erkki Liikanen and Professor Axel A. Weber, this volume will be useful reading for monetary economists around the world as well as all those with an interest in central banks and banking more generally.

The capacity of national central banks to 'step in' and bail out an economy is one which has proved to be vitally important over the years. This collection from Wood and Capie brings together important literature for the first time in book form.

The capacity of national central banks to 'step in' and bail out an economy is one which has proved to be vitally important over the years. This collection from Wood and Capie brings together important literature for the first time in book form.

This book examines the area of financial regulation in the banking sector. Editors Mayes and Wood bring together such acadmics as Charles Goodhart, Charles Calomiris and Kern Alexander whose expertise shines through this volume to provide a reference tool for researchers, students and bankers themselves which will prove invaluable.

The Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) in which some members of the European Union have joined, has prompted much discussion of monetary union. Most of this discussion has focused on the immediate issues, such as prospects for the Euro and the possibility of expanding the Euro-zone. This book stands back and considers the relevant theory or what lessons might be drawn from other unions that have been formed in the past as well as looking at EMU directly.

This book examines the area of financial regulation in the banking sector. Editors Mayes and Wood bring together such acadmics as Charles Goodhart, Charles Calomiris and Kern Alexander whose expertise shines through this volume to provide a reference tool for researchers, students and bankers themselves which will prove invaluable.

Industrial Relations in Sub-Saharan Africa provides an overview on the state and nature of industrial relations in tropical and southern Africa, encompassing theoretical and comparative perspectives and country studies. Contributors include some of the leading experts in the field, many based at African universities. They provide insights into the underlying causes of both individual national traditions and practices, and continent-wide trends.

This volume analyzes changing work and employment in British public services. In doing so, it begins by critically engaging with debates around the ideological, regulatory and social drivers of change, and their impact on workforce composition, service ethos, equality, and the role of trade unions. It then analyzes employment relationships within fluid organisational boundaries, tackling the key issues of partnership and trust, pay and rewards and employment security. The concluding section reflects on public service productivity and its comparative context.

This collection provides a critical and international analysis of the public sector through theoretical debates, empirical issues and regional studies. It begins by reassessing the public choice theoretical paradigm, the implications of New Public Management, the current crisis of democracy and ways of mediating market pressures. It then investigates recent developments in ethics, service provision, industrial relations and the nature of work, before examining critical issues in countries and regions from both the developed and developing world, and reflecting on the way forward.

This edited volume provides a critical and international analysis of the public sector through theoretical debates, empirical issues and regional studies. It begins by reassessing the public choice theoretical paradigm, the implications of New Public Management, the current crisis of democracy and ways of mediating market pressures. It then investigates recent developments in ethics, service provision, industrial relations and the nature of work, before examining critical issues in countries and regions from both the developed and developing world, and reflecting on the way forward.

The recession which many countries experienced in the early 1990s had certain unusual aspects. Most notably, and common to all countries, was the behaviour of asset prices relative to the general price level. In consequence, reasons were sought to explain the special characteristics of the recession and as a result of the behaviour of asset prices attention turned to 'Debt-Deflation Theories' associated in different forms with Keynes and Irving Fisher. The contributors to this volume discuss the significance of debt deflation. Their striking common feature is that, on the evidence presented here, the behaviour of asset prices should not be of great concern to policy makers, or to those attempting to understand economic behaviour. However, residual doubts remain over the Japanese case.

The recession which many countries experienced in the early 1990s had certain unusual aspects. Most notably, and common to all countries, was the behaviour of asset prices relative to the general price level. In consequence, reasons were sought to explain the special characteristics of the recession and as a result of the behaviour of asset prices attention turned to 'Debt-Deflation Theories' associated in different forms with Keynes and Irving Fisher. The contributors to this volume discuss the significance of debt deflation. Their striking common feature is that, on the evidence presented here, the behaviour of asset prices should not be of great concern to policy makers, or to those attempting to understand economic behaviour. However, residual doubts remain over the Japanese case.

This volume is the second collection of the series of lectures, held annually at City University, London, in honour of Henry Thornton, the renowned 19th Century monetary economist. As with Monetary Economics in the 1980s (0-333-46220-3), the essays by extremely eminent contributors are wide-ranging in both subject and approach but all develop topics considered by Henry Thornton over a century ago and link historical perspectives to contemporary debates about financial institutions and monetary economics.

This book contains a selection of the Wincott lectures, given by eminent economists (including four Nobel laureates). Economists do not always communicate their theories to the general public. But all the contributors to this volume have achieved a perfect balance between practical relevance and sound economic reasoning. For this reason their lectures remain refreshing and fascinating. In addition, with economic discourse becoming more and more mathematically formulated, these lectures are a striking example of how important concepts can be communicated simply. Every one of these advances our understanding of the market economy and how it relates to political decisions.

This volume is the second collection of the series of lectures, held annually at City University, London, in honour of Henry Thornton, the renowned 19th Century monetary economist. As with Monetary Economics in the 1980s (0-333-46220-3), the essays by extremely eminent contributors are wide-ranging in both subject and approach but all develop topics considered by Henry Thornton over a century ago and link historical perspectives to contemporary debates about financial institutions and monetary economics.

This book contains a selection of the Wincott lectures, given by eminent economists (including four Nobel laureates). Economists do not always communicate their theories to the general public. But all the contributors to this volume have achieved a perfect balance between practical relevance and sound economic reasoning. For this reason their lectures remain refreshing and fascinating. In addition, with economic discourse becoming more and more mathematically formulated, these lectures are a striking example of how important concepts can be communicated simply. Every one of these advances our understanding of the market economy and how it relates to political decisions.

Using historical examples, this book attempts to demonstrate that unregulated banking can be successful and that central banks' beneficial contribution has been greatly exaggerated. Topics covered include a description of the experiment with free banking during the French Revolution.

Monetary and exchange rate policies of national monetary authorities, together with certain of their consequences, provide the common theme for the studies in this volume. Four of the contributions are mainly concerned with exchange rate policy-decisions to alter fixed parities, intervention by central banks in foreign exchange markets, and the determinants of exchange rates including intervention and the degree of capital mobility. Two studies are oriented to aspects of domestic monetary policy, one examining policy reactions of French monetary authorities, the other concerning the choice of monetary aggregate target as a politically motivated strategy to assign responsibility for macroeconomic outcomes and thus influence the behaviour of decision makers in the macroeconomic policy making process. One contribution investigates the factors that influence the choice of currency in foreign trade, an important factor in determining the importance for exchange market stability of capital movements, and perhaps official intervention. The studies present significant theoretical and empirical results as well as the institutional material.