This thought-provoking book investigates the political and economic transformation that has taken place over the past three decades in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe (CESEE) since the fall of the Iron Curtain. Through an examination of both the successes and shortcomings of post communist reform and the challenges ahead for the region, it explores the topical issues of economic transition and integration, highlighting important lessons to be learned. Featuring contributions from both top academics and experienced policymakers, 30 Years of Transition in Europe first discusses the process of transition in CESEE from a historical perspective, analysing the impacts of differing approaches on economic and monetary policy, the role of central banks and the speed of reform in various countries of the region. Chapters also compare CESEE transformations to emerging economies in Asia, and examine contemporary concerns around financial and monetary stability, as well as exploring the long-term determinants of economic growth such as digitalization, climate change and demographic trends. Economists, central bankers, and policymakers in the banking sector and other international financial organizations will find this book an enlightening read. It will also be useful for academics in economics and politics with a particular interest in emerging European economies and European integration.

With formidable challenges facing Europe today, effective and well-designed structural reforms are key to shaping Europe?'s future. This book examines the achievements and failures of past structural policies so that new concepts can adapt to address remaining and newly emerging challenges with greater success. Tangible policy advice is offered in the original contributions to this book, re-assessing past ?'moments of truth'? in European structural policy. The book focuses on the area of Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe (CESEE), not least because this region has been largely successful through a profound transition period. Highlighting the social aspects and distributional effects of reforms that go beyond liberalization and deregulation, the book covers key issues facing Europe in the future, particularly those arising from technological innovation. Structural Reforms for Growth and Cohesion will prove a useful book for academic researchers looking into European policy progress and reform. Indeed, it will also be a vital reference tool for policymakers seeking to deepen their understanding of the challenges facing a modern Europe and how these can be tackled. Contributors include: O. Causa, L. Csaba, O. Dreute, G. Fischer, J.-M. Frie, H. Gabrisch, M. Ghodsi, J. Grubler, S. Guriev, V. Isaila, J. Makuch, A. Mungiu-Pippidi, E. Nowotny, S. Puntscher Riekman, P. Ramskogler, O. Reiter, D. Ritzberger-Grunwald, J. Rusnok, H. Schuberth, H. Schweiger, R. Stehrer, P. Strzelecki, D. Taglioni, L. Vinhas de Souza, B. Virag

How can financial flows help the EU fulfil its mandate to promote economic, social and territorial cohesion, and solidarity among Member States enshrined in the EU Treaty? Dissecting the complexity of cohesion, this book examines the factors that matter most for the functioning of the Economic and Monetary Union and the convergence of Central, Eastern and Southeastern European (CESEE) countries. This insightful and timely book brings together central bankers, policy makers and academics to discuss how to best advance and fund the catching-up process of the euro area and CESEE countries. Focusing on a modern understanding of industrial policy - which fosters skills, innovation and infrastructure - contributors highlight how the EU's regional policy can better meet persistent investments needs. Critical and comprehensive, this book is crucial reading for researchers at all levels focusing on policy reform in emerging European economies. Central bankers and policy experts in public or international organizations will also benefit from this book's contemporary perspective on monetary and industrial policies.

In the long aftermath of the acute global financial crisis of 2008/09, the need to get economies back on track and to handle high levels of public and private debt has created conflicting objectives. Challenges yet to be mastered are the need to avoid counterproductive measures of adjustment and the persistent need to 'rebalance' the economy with new sources of growth and productivity. Hence, there is an urgent requirement for policies to reverse the decline in public and private investment, and to fuel innovation.These needs, and the corresponding policy challenges, are especially prevalent in Europe, in particular Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe. On this issue, this book contributes important lessons learned from earlier balance sheet recessions. It also addresses the often overlooked link between macroeconomic imbalances and economic inequality. A mix of contributions from academics and policy-makers focus on the interaction between monetary policy and financial stability, adding regional perspectives to the resulting dilemmas and trade-offs. This book is essential reading for the study of economics in emerging economies. Contributors: T. Beck, M. Belka, S. Chakrabarti, D. Daianu, J.B. DeLong, N. Fabris, M. Gachter, M. Geiger, F. Glotzl, D. Gros, M. Holzner, J. in 't Veld, R.C. Koo, R. Kuodis, E. Nowotny, P. Pontuch, R. Raciborski, L. Reichlin, D. Ritzberger-Grunwald, H. Schuberth, M. Singer, L.E.O. Svensson, T. van Treeck

Economic Policy under Uncertainty maintains that the question of truth and accountability has not received particular attention in the literature on economic methodology. It goes on to argue that pragmatic theories relate concepts of truth to the beliefs, thoughts and intentional actions of individuals, blurring the relationship between theory and practice. Focusing on the conditions that make it possible to consider economic policy advice a reliable basis for action and at the same time justifiable in a broad public discourse, the contributors address the difficulties faced by economic policy makers when basing policy decisions on economic advice. They avoid dualistic alternatives between truth-oriented academic theory and economic policy practice and remove the epistemic privilege for academic economists. The question of how economists can be made accountable for policies made as a result of their counsel is also examined. Exploring real-world difficulties encountered in giving and receiving economic policy advice, this book will be of great interest to economists who wish to reflect on the stance of their discipline, philosophers with an interest in economic issues and economic policy advisers considering the particularities of their subject.

This book focuses on recent financial market reforms, and their implications for social, economic and political exclusion. In particular it considers the hitherto under-researched question of whose interests govern the design of regulatory mechanisms and who influences the decision-making process. This process is set out as contested terrain, in which there are winners and losers, and in which there are inevitably circles of exclusion. The authors, comprising financial authority experts and academic specialists, expand the concept of exclusion beyond its typical social dimension to incorporate all actors, be they individuals or institutions not permitted to contribute to financial market regulation as a public good. As they point out, this may take the form of political, economic or indeed cultural exclusion. The book examines the conflicts that arise between various interests and how these are managed within the process of regulation. The book has a focus on political financial sector reforms at the global level with special emphasis on how these reforms are implemented in the EU. The authors conclude that financial governance has to be embedded in broad legitimization structures, encompassing the participation or representation of a variety of interests affected by it, if they are to be deemed democratically legitimate. Furthermore, inclusion also has to show substantive effects on governance outcomes. This volume opens up the debate about the future of financial market regulation and hence, policy makers, NGOs, researchers and scholars will find this interdisciplinary book of great interest. It will also appeal to political scientists, economists, financial market participants, regulators and economic policy makers in general and academics of sociology, political science, economics and finance in particular.