Although the globalization of markets and the rapid growth in worldwide information technologies supports harmonization and integration between countries, substantial differences still exist throughout the world. Global Divergence in Trade, Money and Policy explores the disparities between a range of countries, arguing that their differences are a major factor in international tensions, and will remain a substantial problem for many decades to come. The book analyses the implications of disparities in the areas of economic power, institutional structures, per capita income, international trade, exchange rate systems, financial markets, monetary policy issues, the development of monetary unions and welfare. Case studies encompassing Asia, India, Greece, Mexico, the US and EU accession countries illustrate how differently the globalization process is regarded and valued by countries depending on their own particular circumstances. Exploring the role of different countries in the processes of globalization and shedding light on the issues surrounding economic divergences, this book will strongly appeal to economists with a special interest in globalization, development and international trade.

Hans-Michael Heitmuller The financing of public funds has become a strongly competitive business. Within the EU, national boundaries for this sphere have been formally removed as well as important hindrances to the trade of goods and services. Deregulation and technological innovations have decreased the economic distance between the regions of the EU. With the transition to the Euro, a weighty step has been made in the direction towards a home market. It has become simpler and worthwhile for public borrowers to obtain comparative offers from over and beyond country borders. For the supplier, this field of business is marked by relatively low risks, a correspondingly modest personal capital requirement, but narrow margins as well. On the other hand, as well as language and social differences, there exist in actuality still many-sided market access thresholds on the basis of different institutional and instrumental framework data within the individual countries, especially inthe area of public funds. This will only change slightly in the foreseeable future. Reliable information about these special framework conditions is still in demand. It is an important factor of success in business politics.