This book presents important aspects of the New-Keynesian theory of monetary policy and its implications for the practical decision making of central bankers today. It brings together several new research contributions that were presented at the scientific symposium on the occasion of the award of the Deutsche Bank Prize in Financial Economics 2007 to Professor Michael Woodford of Columbia University. Woodford received this prize according to the jury in recognition of his fundamental contributions to the theory and practical analysis of monetary policy. The prize jury included Gunter Franke, Michael Haliassos, Otmar Issing, Jan Krahnen, Patrick Lane, Lucrezia Reichlin, Reinhardt Schmidt, Lars Svensson, Norbert Walter and Volker Wieland. The first part on "The New-Keynesian Approach to Understanding the Economy" contains two chapters written by Bennett McCallum and Jordi Gali, respectively. McCallum provides an exposition of key elements of the New-Keynesian approach to monetary policy analysis and an appreciation of Woodford's contributions. Gali further develops several key lessons of this approach and points out important new directions for further research.

The New-Keynesian Approach to Understanding the Economy.- Michael Woodford's Contributions to Monetary Economics.- The New-Keynesian Approach to Monetary Policy Analysis: Lessons and New Directions.- The New-Keynesian Approach in Forecasting and Monetary Policy Design.- The Case for Forecast Targeting as a Monetary Policy Strategy.- Incorporating Conjunctural Analysis in Structural Models.- Money in Monetary Policy Design: Monetary Cross-Checking in the New-Keynesian Model.- Will Monetary Policy Become More of a Science?.- Will Monetary Policy Become More of a Science?.- The Deutsche Bank Prize in Financial Economics 2007: Award Ceremony and Scientific Symposium in Honor of Michael Woodford.- The Award of the Deutsche Bank Prize 2007.- Opening Speeches at the Scientific Symposium.- Hermann-Josef Lamberti (Deutsche Bank AG).- Summary of the Scientific Symposium "The Theory and Practice of Monetary Policy Today".- The Theory and Practice of Monetary Policy Today - Successes, Failures and Open Questions.- The Theory and Practice of Monetary Policy Today - Successes, Failures and Open Questions.