A topical insider view of causes and consequences of financial crises since the Mexican collapse of 1995. The book includes a detailed exploration of recent and ongoing firestorms, including the near meltdown of the global financial system and the euro crisis, and suggests ways to save the international financial and monetary system.

The book examines the problems that Nixon faced during his presidential term, focusing on economics but the role of politics is also highlighted. The convergence of the gold-dollar crises, oil crises and Watergate imbroglio posed a unique political and economic threat to global stability.

This book focuses on various important aspects of monetary policy such as the final objective of monetary policy, the position of the central bank, the design and implementation of monetary policy, the relationship between monetary policy and exchange rate regimes, and the consequences of financial reforms in Central and Eastern Europe and in Latin America. A Framework for Monetary Stability begins with introductions by President W. Duisenberg (DNB) and Vice Chairman D. Mullins, Jr. (Federal Reserve Board). Furthermore, twelve contributions discuss and analyse theoretical, empirical and institutional issues of monetary policy and central banking in Europe and America as well as in other countries. Contributors are reputed policymakers such as C. Freedman (Bank of Canada), J. de Beaufort Wijnholds and L. Hoogduin (DNB), O. Issing (Deutsche Bundesbank), A. Crockett (Bank of England), M. GuitiAn (IMF) and A. Icard (Banque de France). Also, prominent academics like professors S. Fischer (MIT), A. Cukierman (Tel Aviv), B. Friedman (Harvard), M. de Cecco (Rome) and F. Giavazzi (Bocconi), R. Layard (LSE) and R. Dornbusch (MIT) have made contributions. The book ends with a general report by S. Eijffinger (CentER). The collection of papers and proceedings will be of outstanding interest to anyone who is professionally involved with monetary policy and central banking.

Central banks are major players in today's economic and financial policy-making. While respected for their technical acumen and their pivotal role in defusing the global financial crisis, they are at the same time mistrusted by others and considered to be too powerful. In order to contribute to a better understanding of the why, what and how of central banking, this book traces the progress of central banks from modest beginnings, including financing wars, to the powerful institutions they have become. It describes the evolution of the Bank of England to a fully-fledged central bank, the very different route taken by the Federal Reserve and, much later, by the European Central Bank. The gold standard, floating exchange rates, and the battle against inflation are covered in depth, alongside a review of modern monetary policy and central banks' role in maintaining financial stability. Throughout the book, the ups and downs of central banks' relationship vis-a-vis their governments are a recurring theme, even surmising that reigning in the independence of central banks risks inflicting serious damage to economic and financial stability. Uncovering the challenges that the money masters may face in an uncertain future, this book will be of interest to academics, researchers, and practitioners in central banking, finance, and economics at large.

Central banks are major players in today's economic and financial policy-making. While respected for their technical acumen and their pivotal role in defusing the global financial crisis, they are at the same time mistrusted by others and considered to be too powerful. In order to contribute to a better understanding of the why, what and how of central banking, this book traces the progress of central banks from modest beginnings, including financing wars, to the powerful institutions they have become. It describes the evolution of the Bank of England to a fully-fledged central bank, the very different route taken by the Federal Reserve and, much later, by the European Central Bank. The gold standard, floating exchange rates, and the battle against inflation are covered in depth, alongside a review of modern monetary policy and central banks' role in maintaining financial stability. Throughout the book, the ups and downs of central banks' relationship vis-a-vis their governments are a recurring theme, even surmising that reigning in the independence of central banks risks inflicting serious damage to economic and financial stability. Uncovering the challenges that the money masters may face in an uncertain future, this book will be of interest to academics, researchers, and practitioners in central banking, finance, and economics at large.

The book examines the problems that Nixon faced during his presidential term, focusing on economics but the role of politics is also highlighted. The convergence of the gold-dollar crises, oil crises and Watergate imbroglio posed a unique political and economic threat to global stability.

This book focuses on various important aspects of monetary policy such as the final objective of monetary policy, the position of the central bank, the design and implementation of monetary policy, the relationship between monetary policy and exchange rate regimes, and the consequences of financial reforms in Central and Eastern Europe and in Latin America. A Framework for Monetary Stability begins with introductions by President W. Duisenberg (DNB) and Vice Chairman D. Mullins, Jr. (Federal Reserve Board). Furthermore, twelve contributions discuss and analyse theoretical, empirical and institutional issues of monetary policy and central banking in Europe and America as well as in other countries. Contributors are reputed policymakers such as C. Freedman (Bank of Canada), J. de Beaufort Wijnholds and L. Hoogduin (DNB), O. Issing (Deutsche Bundesbank), A. Crockett (Bank of England), M. GuitiAn (IMF) and A. Icard (Banque de France). Also, prominent academics like professors S. Fischer (MIT), A. Cukierman (Tel Aviv), B. Friedman (Harvard), M. de Cecco (Rome) and F. Giavazzi (Bocconi), R. Layard (LSE) and R. Dornbusch (MIT) have made contributions. The book ends with a general report by S. Eijffinger (CentER). The collection of papers and proceedings will be of outstanding interest to anyone who is professionally involved with monetary policy and central banking.

International monetary economics essentially deals with three problems, viz. the nature and stability of the international monetary system, the balance of payments adjustment process, and international liquidity (reserves and credit facilities). All three categories are interrelated. The exchange rate system has an important bearing on the manner in which the adjustment process functions, as well as on the need for international liquidity. The adjustment process is an important determinant of the need for international liquidity. The adequacy of international liquidity influences the working of the adjustment process. Ultimately, developments in international liquidity and in the adjustment process determine the nature and stability of the international monetary system; a sustained malfunctioning of the adjustment process - brought about by a serious imbalance in international liquidity or by other causes - will bring about a new international monetary system, either through collapse or reform of the old system. This study deals only with the problem of international liquidity. However, it touches on the two other main aspects of international monetary economics insofar as they have a bearing on international reserves and credit facilities. In the literature international liquidity is most often defined as including international reserves (gold, SDRs, foreign exchange and claims on the IMF) and international credit facilities (IMF drawing rights, EEC support arrangements and central bank multilateral and bilateral credit facilities). This definition will also be followed in this study.

A topical insider view of causes and consequences of financial crises since the Mexican collapse of 1995. The book includes a detailed exploration of recent and ongoing firestorms, including the near meltdown of the global financial system and the euro crisis and suggests ways to save the international financial and monetary system.